Collider Foundation Board of Directors Names New Executive Director

The Collider Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to name Amanda Leightner as the new Executive Director of the organization. Amanda transitioned from an interim to permanent Executive Director role in April 2022.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Amanda has been a long time member of the Collider community. She worked at the Mayo Clinic Office of Entrepreneurship before joining the Collider Foundation staff in 2019 as the Director of Community. In this capacity, she helped to develop and run Collider’s educational programs and headed the organization’s pilot Ecosystem Navigator program from 2019 to early 2022. Amanda also spent five years running Rochester Rising, a platform to amplify stories of Rochester entrepreneurs. 

Amanda currently lives in Rochester with her husband, two dogs, and pet turtle. She brings her own small business experience to Collider through her work with Rochester Rising and a family business she runs with her husband. Amanda is excited to work with people on their journey of business ownership to help them create a different path for themselves and their families. 

“All of us on the Board feel so excited to have Amanda take on the role of Collider’s Executive Director. Her passion for helping Rochester grow its entrepreneurial community and belief that starting a business should be open to everyone makes her perfect for this position. We can’t wait for all the wonderful things to come,” said Traci Downs, the Collider Foundation Board Chair.