Biography

Amanda ReCupido is an agency executive in operations, a creative writer and producer, and a nonprofit board leader. As COO of Zapwater Communications, she leads collaboration, communications and engagement efforts nationwide. Her operational focus ensures teams are supported and empowered to complete projects to budget while exceeding client expectations. Prior to Zapwater, she held the position of Senior Vice President at Public Communications Inc., where she oversaw the agency’s nonprofit sector of business—including social services, education, philanthropy, government and cultural clients. Prior to PCI, Amanda held roles at Goodman Theatre, Time Out Chicago magazine, New York’s 92nd Street Y, and Smithsonian Media. She holds a BA from Illinois Wesleyan University, and certificates from New York University and Northwestern University.

Beyond her professional life, Amanda is a prolific creative writer. She wrote and produced a musical at iO Theater (named #2 Best Musical, Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago 2022). She also wrote and produced a podcast on the Chicago-based Trident Network (winner, Best Pilot, 2022 Chicago Screenplay Awards; finalist, 2024 Roadmap Writers Podcasting Competition). Her work has appeared in publications such as Chicago Sun-Times, McSweeney’s, Forbes, HuffPost and Funny or Die, and been included in anthologies like Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has also produced live comedy events, and published a children’s book, chapbook, zine and more.

Amanda is the current President of the Downers Grove Public Library Foundation, where she chaired its first-ever major fundraiser and secured its first matching donor. She speaks frequently to media about the importance of libraries as vital public institutions.