Amanda Messer

Amanda Messer is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at "because I said I would," an international social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. She became the first full-time employee of the organization in November of 2013 after volunteering for over a year, demonstrating her deep commitment to its cause.

From an early age, Messer experienced the impact of broken promises firsthand, as her father struggled with addiction and often failed to keep his commitments. This personal history fueled her desire to help establish "because I said I would," aiming to address the negative effects of unfulfilled promises on individuals and society. With a background in technology and previous experience working at Hyland Software, recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the top 100 places to work in the U.S., she brings a unique perspective to the nonprofit sector. Additionally, Messer has served as the Vice President for the Cleveland User Experience Professionals Association, further solidifying her leadership and organizational skills.

Since its inception on September 4th, 2012, "because I said I would" has achieved significant milestones, including the distribution of over 10.3 million Promise Cards to more than 153 countries, the establishment of local volunteer chapters, the development of free downloadable resources, and the delivery of live character development programming to over 150,000 students. The organization's initiatives have received widespread media coverage on platforms such as CNN, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, and the Steve Harvey Show. As a public speaker, Messer inspires her audiences by emphasizing the importance of integrity and the power of keeping promises. She uses compelling real-life examples to discuss themes such as philanthropy, social responsibility, accountability, inspiration, and education, illustrating how personal commitment can lead to societal change. Messer is also a two-time TEDx speaker and has delivered keynotes both in the United States and internationally, further spreading the message and influence of "because I said I would."