Amanda Schmitt Piha

Education

• B.A., Geology and Environmental Studies, SUNY Geneseo, 2011

• M.S., Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy, Bay Path University, 2019

Overview

Amanda joined the Paleontological Research Institution in early 2014 as a volunteer and she became part of the staff that summer. Since then, she has served as the Visitor Services Manager at the Cayuga Nature Center, the Assistant to the Director, and the Campaign and Giving Manager, and is currently the Associate Director for Philanthropy and Communications. She oversees the Institution's membership, development, and marketing departments.

Amanda grew up with a passion for science and the outdoors. She received her B.A. in Geological Science and Environmental Studies from SUNY Geneseo in 2011 and afterwards began her career working as a teacher for Nature's Classroom, an outdoor education nonprofit in the New England area.  She later moved to the Ithaca area to be closer to family and began volunteering with PRI. In 2019, she earned her M.S. in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy from Bay Path University. In her free time, Amanda can be found hiking the many wonderful trails the Finger Lakes region has to offer with her son and pup or on the slopes skiing with her husband.