by Denise Kolivoski
“I truly feel that Amanda Burlingham is a shining star. She has had tremendous impact, not just here at The Ophelia Project, but with every organization she’s been involved with. I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving of recognition than Amanda. She has been behind the scenes for many years – let’s put her on stage!” says Heidi Keinath, Burlingham’s co-worker at The Ophelia Project. Burlingham definitely is a shining star to her fellow members of Young Erie Professionals and to the Erie community.
Burlingham’s accomplishments are certainly worthy of the limelight. She brings a level of tenacity to each project she participates in – no matter how large or small. One of Burlingham’s favorite roles is writing a column in the monthly women’s magazine, Her Times, published by the Erie Times-News. She describes “Adventures With Amanda” as a way to have fun with family and friends. Her favorite adventure so far has been playing paintball with other members from yep!, including Ainslie Ulmer (Erie Zoo) and Amy Robinson Price (Erie Regional Chamber).
Other accomplishments include volunteering as an Erie Ambassador since 2004, becoming a part of the March of Dimes of Northwest Pennsylvania’s board of directors from 2005-2006, and acting as a proud member of the Red Hat Society since 2004. Burlingham has participates in many service activities throughout the city – including organizing the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Black and Blue ball – all while working as national brand manager for The Ophelia Project during the day. Her day job includes putting together national marketing and awareness campaigns, creating print materials, marketing on the Web, and managing public relations for The Ophelia Project.
Burlingham was vice president of Young Erie Professionals from 2005 to 2006. In addition, she was a strong force behind crafting the initiation of the Generation-E Leadership Awards. She is humbled to receive her Gen-E award, stating: “This is what I was raised to do – give back to the community. Just knowing that I could be a blessing to someone, that I can meet a need or impassion other people to meet their goals is incredible.” She cites her parents as her inspiration for community involvement, because they set amazing examples for her and instilled strong values at a young age.
Today, Burlingham encourages members of the community and Young Erie Professionals to “give Erie a chance to take you in – you never know who you’ll meet!” She vividly remembers a yep! event where members of the organization were encouraged to meet Jim Dible, president of Times Publishing Company, and marvels at that unique opportunity for upcoming young professionals. Burlingham feels that experience and many others were special events showcasing what yep! and the Erie community truly offers to professionals.
-courtesy of Erie Times-News
