Amanda Morita
Los Angeles
Summary
Senior disaster services leader with 6 years of progressive experience in disaster response and emergency operations, grounded in 20+ years of community-centered and volunteer-led leadership. Known for steady leadership under pressure, effective volunteer empowerment, and disciplined execution in high-paced operational environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Regional Disaster Officer
American Red Cross
Los Angeles
01.2025 - Current
- Lead the full scope of Disaster Cycle Services for the Los Angeles Region, directing paid staff and a large, diverse volunteer workforce.
- Oversee disaster readiness, preparedness, response, and recovery operations in alignment with Red Cross Fundamental Principles and national program standards.
- Initiate, scale, and manage disaster relief operations; provide steady executive leadership during activations and complex incidents.
- Strengthen operational systems, clarify roles, and improve coordination to ensure rapid, accessible, and culturally responsive service delivery.
- Serve as the regional disaster subject matter expert and primary leader for disaster operations across Los Angeles County.
- Los Angeles Region
Senior Disaster Program Manager
American Red Cross
Los Angeles
01.2024 - Current
- Provide senior leadership oversight for disaster programs, workforce engagement, and operational readiness across the region.
- Partner closely with internal departments to align disaster operations with organizational priorities and service delivery goals.
- Support development and performance of disaster leadership staff and volunteers.
- Los Angeles Region
Faculty
Antioch University Los Angeles
Culver City
01.2015 - Current
- Design, teach, and facilitate graduate-level coursework in applied community psychology, leadership development, and systems-based practice, integrating theory with real-world community and organizational applications.
- Develop and deliver equity-centered curricula grounded in social justice, liberation psychology, and community-based intervention models, preparing students to work effectively within complex institutional and cultural systems.
- Mentor and advise graduate students across academic, clinical, and leadership trajectories, supporting professional identity formation, ethical practice, and career advancement in community-focused roles.
Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager
American Red Cross
Los Angeles
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Led recruitment, training, deployment, and retention strategies for a large volunteer disaster workforce.
- Developed scalable staffing plans to meet disaster and non-disaster operational needs.
- Established and led a regional staging operation in Los Angeles to support national response efforts for Typhoon Mawar in Guam, coordinating workforce readiness, deployment logistics, and cross-functional support.
- Los Angeles Region
Disaster Program Manager
American Red Cross
Los Angeles
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Established and managed strategic partnerships across the chapter to strengthen coordinated disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
- Increased disaster workforce capacity through targeted training, exercises, and readiness activities, improving operational preparedness and response effectiveness.
- Cultivated a culture of shared responsibility, professionalism, and authenticity, strengthening team cohesion, accountability, and volunteer engagement.
- Los Angeles Region
Director of Operations
The Relational Center
Los Angeles
01.2011 - 01.2018
- Provided executive-level oversight of operations, human resources, budgeting, compliance, and workforce development within a complex, mission-driven organization, ensuring organizational readiness, accountability, and service continuity.
- Led and supervised a large, multidisciplinary workforce of 250+ paid staff, interns, and volunteers, establishing clear expectations, performance standards, and a culture of professionalism and shared responsibility.
- Managed grant funding, contracts, and compliance reporting, ensuring fiscal stewardship, regulatory adherence, and alignment with organizational priorities and funder requirements.
Education
PhD - Organizational Leadership and Change
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Los AngelesLos Angeles
MA - Applied Community Psychology
Antioch University Los Angeles
Los AngelesLos Angeles
BA - Sociology
California State University
San Bernardino, CASan Bernardino, CA
Skills
- Disaster operations
- Community engagement
- Program development
- Volunteer training
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Resource allocation
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
- Public speaking
Websites
Core Leadership Strengths
- Disaster Cycle Services Leadership (Preparedness, Response, Recovery)
- Volunteer & Workforce Development (Paid & Volunteer)
- Disaster Operations & Incident Management
- Community & Partner Engagement (Hyper-Local Focus)
- Equity-Centered Service Delivery
- Strategic Planning & Program Implementation
- Executive Communication & Decision-Making
- Capacity Building & Succession Planning
Additional Qualifications
- Demonstrated capacity to lead with clarity and sound judgment in complex, high-consequence operational environments
- Proven commitment to inclusive service delivery that prioritizes access, respect, and responsiveness across diverse communities
- Organizational problem-solver with the ability to assess, strengthen, and align systems to improve performance at scale
- Track record of building leadership capability and operational readiness through intentional development of staff and volunteers
- Effective cross-functional and cross-sector collaborator skilled in aligning multiple interests toward shared mission outcomes
- Strong analytical orientation, applying evaluation, reflection, and data-informed insight to guide decisions and improvement
- Confident senior leader with the communication skills to align teams, maintain accountability, and sustain momentum under pressure
Timeline
Interim Regional Disaster Officer
American Red Cross
01.2025 - Current
Senior Disaster Program Manager
American Red Cross
01.2024 - Current
Disaster Workforce Engagement Manager
American Red Cross
01.2023 - 01.2024
Disaster Program Manager
American Red Cross
01.2021 - 01.2023
Faculty
Antioch University Los Angeles
01.2015 - Current
Director of Operations
The Relational Center
01.2011 - 01.2018
PhD - Organizational Leadership and Change
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
MA - Applied Community Psychology
Antioch University Los Angeles
BA - Sociology
California State University