executive director

A native Houstonian, Amanda Shelton fell in love with the work of Community Action after graduating from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. 

Currently, as Executive Director at the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies (TACAA), a membership organization serving as the collective network of public and private entities, Amanda is enthusiastically moving Texas’ community action network in one direction, forward. A boxing enthusiast, she sees the diversity and unwavering determination as this network’s 1-2 punch, a powerful combination. For over 50 years, TACAA has been an integral part of the War of Poverty, providing a unified voice for its network in advocacy, policy, best practices and legislative issues. 

Previously, Amanda oversaw the administration of the Community Services Block Grant in Texas’ largest county. In addition to the regular CSBG grant implementation, as Director of Client Services she led notable crisis-response Projects (with Operating Budget): Hurricane Harvey ($1.7M); COVID Response and Relief ($7.62M), Tax-day Floods ($500k); and American Recovery & Reinvestment Act grants’ reviewer ($2.7M). Throughout her career at Gulf Coast Community Services Association, Inc (GCCSA), Amanda has made it a personal mission to motivate others to deliver exceptional human services while upholding complex compliance. After 10+ years in Community Action, Amanda is still inspired daily to create opportunities where others realize their own potential, encouraging and transforming lives. 

This resolve extends beyond the workplace. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, she continues to give back, working tirelessly for the over-looked and under-represented. Amanda’s experiences personally and professionally have given her a deep appreciation for how nonprofits and their leadership improve the quality of life for communities and all Texans experiencing the devastating impact of poverty. 

Amanda holds an MBA and BS from Florida A&M University’s School of Business & Industry. As a self-described lifelong learner, she earned the Certified Community Action Professional designation; trained as Certified ROMA Professional; and presently works with the National Community Action Partnership as a Data Ambassador. Amanda is currently enrolled in RICE University Glasscock School of Continuing Studies’ Leadership in Nonprofit Executive (LINE) Program 2022 Cohort, with a planned completion date of October 2022.

Please feel free to reach out to Amanda by calling her at (512) 462-2555, ext. 204, or email her at amandashelton@tacaa.org.