Amanda Wanke

About Amanda Wanke

With 15+ years of experience in team leadership, government relations, stakeholder engagement, marketing, and public relations, Amanda Wanke is a proven leader with a diverse background of experiences. She is the chief operations officer and deputy CEO for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) and prior to that held key communications positions for the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a U.S. Congressman. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and has extensive experience in media relations, crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, government relations and internal communicationsAmanda is part of the DART leadership team responsible for providing essential transportation services for the region’s citizens, employers, schools and overall economic vitality. Today DART provides almost 5 million rides a year, connecting the people of the Greater Des Moines to jobs, education, medical appointments and much more.

Experience

1. Chief Executive Officer

   DART - Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority

   Sep 2023 — Present

Education

• Bethel University

  M.A., Organizational Leadership

  2003 — 2006

• Bethel University

  B.A., Political Science, Communication

  1995 — 1999

Skills

• Fundraising
• Social Media
• Strategic Communications
• Public Policy
• Nonprofits
• Event Planning
• Public Speaking
• Non-Profits
• Press Releases
• Higher Education
• Community Outreach
• Editing
• Internal Communications
• Media Relations
• Volunteer Management
• Newsletters