Amanda Hanlin is Chief of Staff at the Detroit Zoo. Previously, she served as Chief of Staff for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), and prior to that was a Senior Researcher at Wayne State University’s (WSU’s) Center for the Study of Citizenship and a Senior Planner for Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC). She received a Ph.D. in Political Science from Wayne State University. Her research emphasizes citizenship, political participation and community development. Amanda has more than fifteen years of strategic planning and development expertise spanning the non-profit, academic and corporate sectors. She was a Senior Development Strategist for Wambatech, an IT start-up company and automotive supplier. Prior, she held senior planning and community relations posts at WSU’s Center for Urban Studies and Detroit Community Health Connection (DCHC). Amanda began her career as a Policy and Planning Specialist for Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) until she departed to serve as a Writer at the White House. Amanda bought her very first home in Ferndale and has lived in our community for over twenty years with her husband Jason and children Vander, Eliza and Jasper.
Amanda serves as Board President. Her term of office expires December 31, 2028.