Amanda Austin

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. She was the Director of Human Resources and People Experience at Dialexa, an IBM Company (acquired by IBM) and a Senior Managing Consultant-HR Strategic Business Partner at IBM Consulting from 2021-2025.

Amanda completed her Masters in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Harvard University, where she also earned her Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior. She earned a Certificate in Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace from Cornell University. Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Minor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University.

Amanda is currently an Adjunct Professor at the SMU Cox School of Business MBA program where she teaches a management course: Innovation and Change by Design.

Amanda is a member of the 2025 Leadership Texas Cohort and the 2025-2026 Business Council for the Arts Cohort. She's a graduate of the 2018 Leadership Dallas Cohort with the Dallas Regional Chamber, where she continued her commitment as the Leadership Consultant for 2019-2020. Amanda was a 2020 Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, a recipient of the 2020 Asian Texas Chamber Arts and Culture Award, and Dallas Business Journal’s 2016 Women in Business Award recipient. She has served on several past non-profit board of directors and currently serves on the board of directors for Jubilee Park and Community Center.