Amanda DeVries
Executive Director Eagles NestJob Description
As the Executive Director of a local non-profit I am responsible to drive strategic planning, fundraising, and build stakeholder relationships to achieve our mission and goals. I oversee the finances, and manage staff. I report to a board of directors.
I work closely with our team of board of directors, staff and volunteers to provide accessible mental health and family supports. I not only have the privilege to see people’s lives be positively impacted, but I also am continually encouraged by individuals and corporations in our community who want to give back and help.
Relevant School Subjects
Business and Social Sciences and Humanities
Areas Of Expertise
Business & Finance and Education & Social Services
Career Story
I always had a passion to learn and enjoy helping people, particularly young people reach their potential. I graduated from high school knowing I wanted to become a primary teacher. I graduated from the Concurrent Education Program, along with double major in Psychology and History. I started teaching at an elementary school in Halton District School Board directly after graduation. At the time I thought I would teach forever, I enjoyed what I was doing and quickly found opportunities to grow and try new things. Five years into my teaching career, I took an unexpected leave of absence to volunteer for one year in Mexico. I had an opportunity to oversee educational and camp programs for a small non profit that worked with children in orphanages and indigenous families. I was able to use many of the skills I had developed as a teacher. At the same time I also gained a whole new set of skills and experiences as I learned the operations of a non profit. I stayed in Mexico for ten years. During my work in Mexico I had worked with many children who had experienced unfortunate trauma. When I returned back to Canada, I went back to school to be better equipped to work with children who had experienced trauma. I became certified and learned how to use expressive art activities as an effective tool for young people to communicate their feelings. Using my new learnings, I developed and implemented a curriculum for young people who were living in a transitional home with their moms. Implementing the program was challenging as with it came many hard stories, however I also witnessed incredible changes in young people. This program was a stepping stone to join the Eagles Nest’s staff full time and then soon accept the role of Executive Director. Over the past several years, I continued to take more courses in psychology, specifically focusing on mental health and cognitive disorders. Although my career path changed, I am thankful to be doing something that aligns with my values and that I enjoy.
