The Frances Perkins Center announced the appointment of Amanda Hatch as its new executive director, following her roles as the Center’s Acting Executive Director (May-August 2025) and Deputy Director (May 2024-May 2025).

“We are thrilled to welcome Amanda Hatch as the new executive director of the Frances Perkins Center. Amanda brings not only a deep commitment to Frances Perkins’ legacy but also the vision, energy, and leadership skills to guide the center into its next chapter. Her experience in nonprofit leadership and her passion for advancing social justice make her the ideal person to expand our reach, deepen our impact, and ensure that Frances Perkins’ work continues to inspire action for generations to come.” said Keith Mestrich, chair of the Frances Perkins Center Board of Directors. 

A skilled strategic consultant, trainer, and facilitator, Hatch brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, program development and equity-focused initiatives. Notably, Hatch was part of the team that led the successful campaign to designate the Frances Perkins Homestead as a national monument, a milestone achieved in December 2024 under former president Joe Biden. 

“Gaining national monument status last year was a tremendous step forward in shining a light on the remarkable achievements of Frances Perkins,” said Hatch. “In my new role, I’m eager to build on that momentum — working alongside the talented team at the Frances Perkins Center, continuing our strong partnership with the National Park Service, and ensuring that Perkins’s legacy remains an essential part of the national conversation.”

Prior to working with the Frances Perkins Center, Hatch served as chief program and impact officer for YWCA Central Maine, where she oversaw a diverse portfolio of programs including health and wellness, childcare, racial justice and equity programming. Hatch also served for five years as a program manager for corporate risk and ethics management at Diligent Corporation, specializing in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption compliance.  

In recognition of her contributions, colleagues at YWCA Central Maine nominated Hatch for Uplift LA’s Finest-Under-40 award for Best in Mission-Based Organizations in 2023. Recently, Hatch was accepted into the Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) Leadership Institute for Executive Director’s 2025-2026 Class, which offers resources to executive directors to strengthen their leadership capabilities. She holds an M.A. in German studies and a graduate certification in film and media studies from the University of Cincinnati.

Located at the Frances Perkins National Monument in Newcastle, the Frances Perkins Center is dedicated to preserving Frances Perkins’ legacy as the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential Cabinet and the architect of the New Deal. The Center offers programs and educational initiatives to inspire current and future generations to understand and uphold the government’s role in providing social justice and economic security for all. 

For more information, visit francesperkinscenter.org.