For Amanda Davis, Senior Vice President of Client Success at Momentive, leadership extends far beyond the workplace. Based in Raleigh, NC, Amanda has built her career around supporting associations and nonprofits — but her passion for giving back also shines through in her personal life.
Turning Values into Action
Amanda describes her “why” as being part of the change that associations and nonprofits create in the world. “I may only play a small role, but I get to be a cog in the wheel of all the good things happening,” she explains. That belief is what first drew her into the association industry and continues to fuel her work today.
Her commitment to service isn’t confined to her career. Amanda has long been active in her church and community, and since becoming a parent, she has focused much of her volunteer time on her son’s school. Whether serving as a room parent, supporting teachers in the classroom, or helping with school events alongside her husband, Amanda sees volunteering as both a way to strengthen her community and an opportunity to model the importance of giving back for her son.
Creating Family Traditions of Service
For Amanda, volunteerism is often a family affair. From helping set up carnival tables with her husband to organizing classroom activities, service is something they experience together. She recalls one of her favorite memories: celebrating her son’s first birthday with a diaper drive instead of gifts. Friends and family contributed boxes of diapers and wipes, which Amanda and her son delivered to a local women’s shelter.
“That was his first volunteer experience,” she reflects. “Even at such a young age, it was important to me to instill in him a desire to help others in need and view giving back as a natural part of life.”
Over the years, Amanda has served on the board of her son’s preschool and supported local organizations like the food bank and community thrift stores. She believes that even small contributions — whether time, dollars, or items — can change lives.
Lessons in Leadership
Through her service, Amanda has carried a powerful lesson into her leadership style: the importance of empathy. “Volunteering has reinforced for me that you have to meet people where they are,” she says. “Whether it’s skill level, ability, or experience — at the end of the day, we’re all human, and we’re in this pursuit together.”
As a leader at Momentive, Amanda encourages her team to pursue their passions and make space for community engagement. “If someone is really passionate about giving back, I want to help them find the time to do it,” she says. “Because honestly, if we can’t help our team members prioritize serving others, our efforts fall short of their true potential.”
The Ripple Effect of Giving Back
Momentive’s motto, Bring on Better, resonates strongly with Amanda. “What we do internally impacts our clients, which impacts their communities, and in many cases, has ripple effects across the world,” she shares. To her, empowering both employees and clients to serve their communities is a vital part of that vision.
Amanda believes that when one person steps up to serve, it often inspires others to do the same — multiplying the overall impact. She’s seen firsthand how even small acts of kindness can spark larger movements within a community. For Amanda, this ripple effect is the true measure of leadership: creating momentum that extends well beyond her own contributions.
Advice for Others
Amanda encourages others to “make room” for giving back — no matter how small the effort may seem. “Life will always be busy. But whether it’s five dollars, an hour of your time, or a box of diapers, every single contribution matters. It might feel small, but in totality, those efforts can change lives.”
Amanda notes that it’s important to identify how individuals can make an impact in their own way — because everyone’s philanthropic journey is different — and that’s okay. “Depending on your season of life, your bandwidth to give back may ebb and flow. Making a dedicated effort to volunteer once a year or donate to your favorite nonprofit can make a big difference, even if the gesture seems small.”
Staying Local, Making an Impact
When asked where she would spend a day volunteering if she could choose anywhere in the world, Amanda’s answer was simple: home. “I love supporting grassroots, local organizations where I can see the impact firsthand. Whether it’s sorting vegetables at the food bank or helping in a classroom, it’s very rewarding to give back to my own community.”
Amanda embodies the spirit of inspiring leadership — weaving empathy, service, and community into her life and work. By making volunteerism a family value and encouraging others to do the same, she shows that the most meaningful impact often starts close to home.
