Amanda Austin
Consultant, Co-Founder, Comedy House
Bio
Amanda has worked in training and leadership development for the past 16 years. She believes the vulnerability required to improvise and create something together on stage as a team can be translated to a professional group of any size. She uses the philosophy of improvisation and the power of "Yes, And" as a catalyst for positive change within an organization. Her active listening approach to coaching focuses on teaching individuals and teams the difference between listening to respond and listening to understand. Amanda was the Founder/CEO of Dallas Comedy House (2009-2020), where she oversaw day to day operations of DCH. She was the founder and Executive Producer of the Dallas Comedy Festival (2009-2019). She's the Co-founder of ComedyHouse, a professional training and coaching service, and the co-author of the REALway leadership training program.
Amanda received her Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Harvard University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Minor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. Amanda also holds a professional certificate from Cornell University in Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace as well as her Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior from Harvard University. She is an Adjunct professor for the SMU Cox MBA program, where she teaches Organizational Innovation and Change by Design.
She is a member of the 2025 Leadership Texas Cohort and on the Board of Directors for Jubilee Park and Community Center. She is a graduate of Leadership Dallas 2019 with the Dallas Regional Chamber and served as the Leadership Consultant for the 2019 and 2020 cohorts. Amanda was a 2020 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow. She is the recipient of the 2020 Arts and Culture Award from the Asian Chamber of Texas and was previously awarded the Dallas Business Journal's Women in Business Award and Best Theater Director by the Dallas Observer. Her previous board contributions include Deep Ellum Foundation Board of Directors, FEARless Board of Directors, and Executive Marketing Chair for the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
Amanda received her Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Harvard University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Minor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. Amanda also holds a professional certificate from Cornell University in Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace as well as her Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior from Harvard University. She is an Adjunct professor for the SMU Cox MBA program, where she teaches Organizational Innovation and Change by Design.
She is a member of the 2025 Leadership Texas Cohort and on the Board of Directors for Jubilee Park and Community Center. She is a graduate of Leadership Dallas 2019 with the Dallas Regional Chamber and served as the Leadership Consultant for the 2019 and 2020 cohorts. Amanda was a 2020 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow. She is the recipient of the 2020 Arts and Culture Award from the Asian Chamber of Texas and was previously awarded the Dallas Business Journal's Women in Business Award and Best Theater Director by the Dallas Observer. Her previous board contributions include Deep Ellum Foundation Board of Directors, FEARless Board of Directors, and Executive Marketing Chair for the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
Speaking At
