Amanda Williams Receives 40 Under 40 Leadership Award from Triangle Business Journal

Raleigh, NC, May 09, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Amanda Williams, chief of staff for First Lady Mary Easley and artist/owner of Amanda Williams Designs, was named by Triangle Business Journal as a 2008 40 Under 40 Leadership Award winner. The 40 Under 40 awards program recognizes the Triangle's most influential and highly accomplished young business people.

“Amanda’s position demands creativity, leadership, discretion and considerable diplomatic skills,” said Mrs. Easley. “Her ability to manage the wide-ranging functions of the office as well as a diverse staff, which includes everyone from office personnel to inmates, would seem to be a tall order for someone so young, but Amanda has demonstrated the ability to do it all with the utmost professionalism, grace and good humor.”

As chief of staff, Amanda manages every internal function of the Executive Mansion and its personnel, as well as the external activities and contacts of an active First Lady. Amanda also serves as an advisor, organizer, and communicator in relation to every effort and initiative that involves the participation of Mrs. Easley.

Amanda is also the artist and owner of Amanda Williams Designs (www.amandawilliamsdesigns.com), where she receives commissions for dog portraits, landscapes and flowers.

Amanda’s involvement in the community is focused on her two passions of animals and art. She is a development committee member of the SPCA of Wake County. In this capacity, she works with board members and staff to create new events and programs to raise money and awareness for the homeless animals of the SPCA. For the past two years, Amanda has also served as a co-chair for Artspace After Dark and committee member for the Artspace collectors gala. Both years, Amanda helped Artspace to raise more than $100,000 in support of Artspace exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach.

Amanda was presented with her award at a black tie optional celebration and dinner on May 2, 2008. All of the exceptional honorees were under 40 years of age, have attained significant leadership roles in their organizations, achieved a significant career milestone in the past year, and have had substantial involvement in community service.

Triangle Business Journal will publish an in-depth special section on the 40 Under 40 Leadership Awards in its May 23, 2008 edition that will feature interviews with all 40 winners.

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