Amanda Valenta is the director of grant operations for the Kinder Institute for Urban Research.

Previously, Amanda served as a policy analyst and consultant in Colorado where she managed research and evaluation projects across the country aimed at improving education-to-work pipelines, building community health infrastructure, securing child care for student parents, and reducing maternal and infant mortality. She also worked with local coalitions to help pass state legislation to regulate student loan companies and enhance access to higher education.

In previous roles, she acted as a development associate and program coordinator supporting early education programs in Colorado and Connecticut.

Amanda earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from Rice University and a B.A. in English from Westmont College.