Amanda Spies

Senior Director of Development @Special Olympics Illinois

Chicago, IL, US

Special Olympics Illinois provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team contributing to organization-wide strategic planning, revenue forecasting, and culture-building initiatives • Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer and senior development leaders to manage a $16M+ annual operating budget, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and data-driven revenue strategies • Lead the Corporate Partnerships and Special Events teams, managing six staff (three direct reports) and generating $4-$6M annually through muti-channel fundraising, including corporate partnerships, cause marketing, peer-to-peer campaigns, sponsorships, and large-scale events• Oversee high-value, strategic corporate partnerships, including statewide sponsors and Fortune 500 companies, with a focus on sustainable, mission-aligned partnerships• Partner with executive leadership to engage board members, leverage networks, and support donor cultivation strategies• Advance organizational culture as a member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee and lead SOILL’s first Employee Resource Group, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.• Utilize CRM system to monitor performance, segment donors, and optimize fundraising pipelines

University of Miami

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Major: Marketing, Minors: Advertising & English