Amanda Preston

Experience

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  Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

  Nov 1998 - Feb 2012

  Advancement and External Affairs Officer

  As a senior member of the Director's management team, I directed advancement activities and external affairs programs in support of the collaboration between Smithsonian and Harvard in astronomy/astrophysics research:• Philanthropy work with individuals, foundations, corporations, and government funders• Advisory Board administration and development• Liaison to internal and external constituents, including the Giant Magellan Telescope partnership• Budget justifications, hearing testimony, policy analyses, white papers, high-impact releases• VIP and legislative visits, Visiting Committee activities and materials, and symposia/conferences• Facilitation of long-term capital facilities planning process Show less

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  Origins of Life Initiative at Harvard University

  Feb 2012 - May 2018

  Executive Director

  As the executive leader of Harvard's comprehensive interdisciplinary origins research program, I focused on the goals that moved the program forward on several fronts: • Advising the program's director and Faculty Council on growth, funding and strategy • Strategic planning, operations and communications about the research and academics • New programming, including University Graduate Certificate in origins of life research • Development of stable funding for research across all departments • Collaborative work with a major national foundation supporting origins of life research Show less

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  Amanda Preston Consulting LLC

  May 2018 - now

  Principal

  To support education, research and nonprofit leaders as they address strategic change, I concentrate my services in six areas: • Strategic communications and positioning • Inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional partnerships and collaborations • Coaching senior leaders and mentoring early career leaders • High-performance philanthropic gifts and federal and private grants • Long-range, strategic, and operational plans • Stakeholder engagement Show less