Amanda Whalen | Chief of Staff

Pronouns: She / Her / Hers

Hailing from the South Side of Chicago, Amanda moved to Portland two decades ago. After finishing law school, she served briefly as a juvenile defender before abandoning the formal practice of law to focus on education. She spent 15 years working in school districts, including as the Chief of Staff at the Portland Public Schools where she provided leadership and strategic support for key district policy initiatives.

Amanda entered the world of philanthropy as the Chief Impact Officer at the United Way of the Columbia Willamette, where she led programming and strategic community investment in culturally specific and culturally responsive organizations through grant making, convening, policy work and volunteerism.

Prior to joining Seeding Justice, Amanda was a consultant and supported a number of Seeding Justice’s community funds.

Amanda is an avid reader, runner and makes homemade ice cream. She and her husband Jim live with their three children, Jed, Willa and Levi and two dogs in Southeast Portland where they enjoy all things soccer. She started at Seeding Justice in 2023.