Her Story
About Amanda
She is a highly accomplished electrical and computer engineer with over six years of experience in power systems modeling, transmission network analysis, and grid reliability, currently serving as Senior Engineer at Actalent. In this role she is currently serving Actalent clients as an engineer of record in multiple states. Previously she applied advanced expertise in PSS®ODMS and CIM-based transmission network modeling to support critical energy infrastructure projects. She has served as Lead Engineer and Acting Lead Engineer at Actalent, where she led technical teams, managed complex engineering projects, and delivered innovative solutions for power grid optimization. She holds a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a 4.0 GPA, where her research focused on predictive machine learning and artificial intelligence controls to increase the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of the power grid. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®. She is recognized as a technically brilliant, forward-thinking, and collaborative engineer who bridges advanced power systems engineering with cutting-edge AI and machine learning to drive innovation in the energy sector.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amanda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I had a lot of support from my kids, family, church, coworkers, and the company I worked for. They provided flexible schedules and work-life balance. I definitely didn't do it alone.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Be myself. When starting late in life it can be intimidating, but the best advice was to be true to yourself, don't worry about people's titles, and be respectful but authentic.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you're interested, just go for it and try it. Don't let fear, age, or feeling unqualified stop you. Be yourself and don't be afraid, even in a male-dominant field.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Integrating AI and automation onto the grid for more reliable power, addressing unreliable power issues, growth with data centers and onshore manufacturing leading to increasing energy prices and demand for heating and cooling.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being ethical, doing the right things, and being considerate of other people.
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