001: Amanda Hovest of AIGA Los Angeles

She turned volunteer leadership into a leadership vocation. Amanda Hovest’s journey began in AIGA LA’s membership committee and spanned nearly half a decade as president—where she didn’t just grow a chapter, she molded herself into a creative events architect, community advocate, and powerhouse facilitator. From retreat after-parties to boardroom strategy, she shows how design volunteering becomes a training ground for real leadership.Key TakeawaysLeadership grows in community: Amanda’s rise from member to chapter president was catalyzed by mentorship—and one unforgettable after-party introduction.Retreats are culture farms: Whether pyramid formation, pancake runs, or bar shutdowns, the best bonds form over chaos and Midnight connections.Serving builds skill: Running volunteers sharpened her in facilitation, event production, and stakeholder management—skills that transformed her career.It is running a nonprofit: Volunteer organizations operate with all the complexities—minus pay—teaching leadership that real-life careers need.Everyone contributes to the vision: Leadership is less about role and more about making space, unlocking collective contribution—even when it’s messy.Episode Chapters00:18 – From student member to AIGA LA President Amanda started as Membership Director in 2014—with encouragement from a mentor—and eventually served as chapter president (through 2019), just before the pandemic.  03:10 – Finding “core family” at an after-party One AIGA event at The Edison introduced her to six key people who would become her creative family in L.A.  03:47 – Retreat baptism in Denver Her first leadership retreat turned strangers into friends—and forever changed her approach to connection.  06:18 – Pyramids and pancake serendipity Morning camaraderie—including running into Erik at a diner after a night of retreat chaos—cemented bonds beyond the boardroom.  19:45 – Sharpie room-party GPS No phones? No problem. AIGA leaders Sharpied their room numbers onto arms so everyone could find the party at Omaha retreat.  20:06 – Drank them out of alcohol A small-town retreat, a packed bar, and…they ran the bar out of booze. Legendary.  21:16 – Listening first, leading second Amanda champions servant leadership—starting by listening to her team—and bringing everyone into action, not position.  22:34 – From designer to community architect Chapter leadership taught her event production and volunteer management—skills so vital they now shape her career.  24:56 – Realizing she “ran a nonprofit” It hit her late in her term: leading a volunteer organization felt exactly like running a nonprofit—no rules, no pay, all heart.  27:08 – Leadership as a collaborative ecosystem Amanda learned everyone leads—from the 20% doing 80% of the work, to the mutual investment in community vision.  About Our GuestAmanda Hovest is designer, storyteller, and creative facilitator who led AIGA Los Angeles from 2014 to 2019—including as Membership Director, Vice President, Secretary, and ultimately President. Her client work spans institutions like LACMA, LA Phil, and SoCal PBS, and she’s named a “Person to Watch” by GDUSA. Today, she continues to lead via storytelling, mentorship, and immersive design experiences.   FeaturingGuest Amanda Hovest, connect on LinkedIn or InstagramHost Erik Cargill, connect on LinkedInHost Rachel Elnar, connect on LinkedInSupport the ShowTheme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic OceansProduced by Chapter 2 MediaSubscribe to the Together by Design newsletter for more community-building and podcast episode updatesSponsored by: Able Made, The Original Off Pitch Soccer Style: shop nowSponsored by: Draplin Design Company, check us out!Sponsored by: The People's Graphic Design Archive: browse, contribute, and research