Volunteer Leadership
The Junior League of Rochester and the JLR Diaper Bank
I joined the Junior League of Rochester (JLR) in 2008, and it has truly shaped me into the volunteer leader that I am today. The JLR’s mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. In the 16 years that I have been a part of the JLR, I have participated on many committees including Fundraising, Member Relations, Nominating, and External Relations, and sat on the board in 4 roles, including as President from 2014-2015 and Vice President of Sustainers from 2022-2024.
From 2018-2019, I worked to transition ROC City Bottoms Diaper Bank, formerly an independent nonprofit organization, to the Junior League of Rochester Diaper Bank, a project of the JLR formed in July 2018. The JLR Diaper Bank addresses diaper need in Monroe and surrounding counties by providing diapers and diapering supplies to partner organizations and social workers. We collect diapers (including open packages and loose diapers), pull-ups, training pants, wipes, and diaper creams. We also accept monetary donations, which are used to purchase these supplies at deep discounts. The JLR Diaper Bank distributes an average of 20,000+ diapers each month to more than 45 partner organizations.
“Amanda was my constant sounding board, support, and cheerleader . . . . She was always willing to lend a hand or ear and I am continually awed by her passion and drive.”
—Laura L., Past President and Diaper Bank Chair, Junior League of Rochester
Town of Brighton Historic Preservation Commission
The Town of Brighton Historic Preservation Commission is the seven-member commission that is responsible for identifying and designating historic landmarks. The Commission also regulates exterior changes to designated historical properties. I joined the Commission in 2018, after my own home was designated as a landmark in 2016.
The Historic Preservation Commission had a survey performed on our home by a local architectural historian, who visited our home and researched its past. The historian estimated that our home was built around 1895, although there is some evidence that a different structure was previously built on the property. We have done minor renovations while trying to maintain the character of the home, including a lot of original woodwork that has never been painted! In recent years, we drafted a master plan for our almost three-acre plot and built a detached garage and patio as part of the first phase. The property also includes the first floor of what was a cow barn, built from stone, and we hope to renovate the barn into an entertaining space that respects the original stone foundation.
The Landmark Society of Western New York
I joined the Board of Directors of the Landmark Society of Western New York in late 2018. The Landmark Society is one of the oldest and most active preservation organizations in America. Its mission is to protect the unique architectural heritage of the region and promote preservation and planning that fosters healthy, livable, and sustainable communities.
I am continuously learning about preservation and the history of my community as a new board member. I attended the 2019, 2020, and 2024 NY Statewide Preservation Conferences, hosted by the Landmark Society and other preservation organizations. I currently serve on the Board’s Properties Committee, which provides guidance on the management of the Landmark Society’s four properties.
Monroe County Bar Association and The Foundation of the Monroe County Bar
I have been an active member of the Monroe County Bar Association since 2006. The MCBA is committed to improving the quality and accessibility of justice; promoting respect for and understanding of the law; enhancing professional growth, fulfillment, excellence, collegiality, and diversity among its members; and serving as the voice of the law profession. Over the years I have served on the Membership, Nominating, and Health & Wellbeing Programming committees, as well as the Young Lawyers section and the Academy of Law.
I joined the Board of Directors for the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar in 2022, and I led the Jazz for Justice committee in planning our major, long-standing fundraiser in 2022 and 2023. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring access to justice for all, educating the community about our legal system and assisting members of the Bar in need. I currently serve on the Development Committee.
Photo by Inga Mucha Photography
Scouting America, Seneca Waterways Council, High Falls District and Cub Pack 65
The Seneca Waterways Council serves nearly 9,000 youth in Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, Yates, and Monroe Counties. I served as the District Fund Development Chair for the High Falls District (formerly Genesee Crossroads District) from 2021-2024 and was responsible for building a volunteer organization capable of developing and executing the district’s fundraising plan in support of the district’s overall goals and objectives. The High Falls District serves the City of Rochester, Town of Irondequoit, and the Brighton Central School District. I am currently serving as the District's Marketing Chair.
I first became involved as an adult volunteer in scouting when I chaired the Centennial Celebration Committee for Tay House Troop 19 from 2018-2019. I oversaw a group of 20+ staff members, troop alumni, and parents to plan an open house and carnival, as well as a gala celebration. With a budget of approximately $16,000, I coordinated committee and subcommittee meetings and activities, event printings and mailings, celebration attendance and fundraising, and budget and contact database management.
In 2024, I took on a new role as the Committee Chair of Cub Pack 65. This role providees me with an opportunity to use my extensive skills for managing volunteers, planning events and activities, and handling finances and a multitude of administrative tasks. My sons are now in the Wolf and Lion dens.
Photo by Inga Mucha Photography
Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys
I have been a member of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA) for more than 17years, since I was a young attorney starting out in the Rochester legal field. As a chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), the mission of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys is to advocate for the professional development and well-being of all women attorneys, increase representation and opportunities for all women in the legal profession, engage in open dialogue and seek perspective from individuals with diverse backgrounds, facilitate fair and equal justice for all, and act as a united voice for members to promote inclusive policies and legislation of statewide, national, and international significance, while performing all work with an intersectional lens.
I served as Co-Chair of the Family & Careers Committee and GRAWA's representative on WBASNY's Long Range Planning Committee from 2021-2022.
From 2018-2020, I served as the Media Committee Chair on GRAWA’s Board of Directors. My regular duties as Media Chair included managing social media and the GRAWA website.
I previously served on the Board of Directors as Programs Committee Co-chair from 2010-2012. I planned, advertised and executed substantive programs, social events and annual functions, including the New Member Reception, Judicial Candidates’ Luncheon, Holiday Party, Annual Meeting, and Installation Dinner.
Photo by Nora Jones
The Monroe County Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council
My son has global developmental delay and received both Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education services, including occupational, physical, speech, and music therapy several times a week. In 2021, I decided to become a parent advocate so that all children in our community and state would have access to the services that have been so crucial to his development.
I joined Monroe County’s Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council, which is comprised of community representatives and parents. The LEICC advises the Early Intervention Program in developing, maintaining, and evaluating a system of early intervention services responsive to the needs of children birth through two with developmental delays and their families in Monroe County. I co-chaired the Transition and Preschool committee, which provides the LEICC with information about the organization, structure, and initiatives of preschool general education and special education in the Greater Rochester area.
I co-chaired the Transition & Preschool Committee in 2023, which provides the LEICC with information about the organization, structure, and initiatives of preschool general education and special education in the Greater Rochester area.
Albany Law School National Alumni Association
I served as a board member of the National Alumni Association (NAA) from 2010-2022. The NAA was organized to promote the welfare of the school and to represent the alumni. The Board of Directors serves the school in an advisory and networking capacity in areas such as career services, admissions recruitment and alumni involvement.
I also served as one of the Co-Presidents of the Rochester Regional Alumni Network Chapter Committee. We led a local group of alumni volunteers in planning and hosting events in the Rochester area to support the law school and serve alumni.
Photo by Albany Law School
Boston College Alumni, Rochester, NY Chapter
As co-chair of the Rochester-area alumni chapter for 12 years, I supported the university in local alumni relations, including communicating with staff and executing two local events in most years.
ROC City Bottoms Diaper Bank
ROC City Bottoms Diaper Bank was a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 to address diaper need in Rochester, NY. As the only diaper bank in Monroe County and the surrounding area, RCB's mission was to provide diapers and diapering supplies to little bottoms in need through partnerships with other organizations and agencies.
I began volunteering with RCB in 2015 and joined the Board of Directors in 2016. Beginning in the fall of 2017, I managed all diaper bank operations, including collection and wrapping of diapers/diapering supplies and distribution to community partners, fundraising, and volunteer activities. I also managed RCB's partnership with the Junior League of Rochester for volunteer support of diaper bank operations. RCB transferred all operations to the new Junior League of Rochester Diaper Bank in July 2018 and dissolved as an independent nonprofit organization. I continue to support the JLR Diaper Bank as a longtime member of the JLR.