About
Amanda Swennes
Storyteller | Dot Connector | People Champion | Outcome-Oriented Comms Pro | Prosci Certified
Change Management Practitioner

Hi! I'm Amanda Swennes
(rhymes with 'tennis')
I’m a storyteller, dot connector, and extroverted introvert. My superpower is pointing out potholes and asking, “Well, what if we ...?” You’ll never find me without my planner, to-do list, and a giant cup of coffee (and maybe an accessory or three).
I was born and raised in Central Texas and learned there’s not much that can’t be fixed with baling wire, duct tape, and elbow grease. I studied English and Creative Writing at Hollins University, a small women’s college in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where I decided I’d rather spend money on travel than stuff after studying abroad in London. I fell in love and followed a boy to Athens, Ga., where we got married, traveled on a shoestring, and I earned my Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Georgia.
For nearly 20 years I made a career of asking questions, writing, editing, and building comms plans as my family moved from Athens, Ga., to Cambridge, Mass., to Houston and then to Salt Lake City – and added a couple of cats, kiddos, guinea pigs, and a rescue corgi along the way.

I'm an award-winning communicator

Recognition Reimagined
- I designed and delivered a new person-to-person recognition program, leading a cross-functional team of 20+ colleagues from Internal Communications, IT, HR, Finance, and Facilities to implement an automated, scalable solution that drives employee engagement and promotes a recognition-rich culture. My team delivered on time and on budget in 11 weeks, from executive approval to launch.
Exceptional Employee Communications
- I led the strategy and execution of an innovative communications campaign that resulted in a 140% increase in participation within the first two weeks over the company’s previous person-to-person recognition program and earned our internal comms team a 2020 IABC Gold Quill Award.
- I developed and implemented multi-channel communications campaigns for benefits Annual Open Enrollment that resulted in 99% employee activation and resulted in a 2020 IABC Gold Quill Award.
My core values are care, integrity, and order.
I left the full-time corporate world in early 2023 and started Flying Comma so I can focus on doing work I’m good at and being more present for the people I care about most.
When I’m not working you’ll find me chaperoning field trips, skiing, exploring the great outdoors, or curled up with a good book and a cup of coffee.