Her path toward architecture began romantically with restoration training at the St. Antoine Abbey in eastern France. She continued training in restoration in Europe and Southeast Asia before serving at the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Following an eight-year respite in New Orleans and San Francisco, she served as Senior Associate at COOKFOX, an architecture firm where she pursued design shaped by a strong connection to place, the highest standards of sustainability, and a commitment to excellence enriched by the collaborative process. Amanda earned a Master of Architecture from the Tulane University School of Architecture in 1997, and is a member of the AIANY Historic Buildings Committee.