The Franciscan Sisters of Mary are thrilled to announce that Amanda Tello has joined our team as Program Manager for Mission & Focus. FSM is committed to the compassionate care of Creation in collaboration with others. As we stand for justice for our earth and the marginalized, we know that those people most impacted by poor environmental health hold the wisdom to craft solutions for their communities. Our philanthropy program primarily supports grassroots organizations led by and accountable to those on the frontlines of climate change and environmental degradation, who are disproportionately communities of color and low-income communities.
In this role, Amanda will support the continued development of the congregation’s philanthropy program, working closely with our partners globally and locally, while also leading FSM’s grants management and communications. You can learn more about Amanda’s background below.
Amanda Tello (she/her), of Esselen/Rumsen and Mexican descent, is raising free children as a conscious and intentional parent, while being called to heal by the very same children. Amanda’s work emphasizes healing from colonial genocide and deepening our relationship to self and Creator through our relationship to Mother Earth. Amanda has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s in Divinity. She has spent a great deal of time in community working as a case manager in foster care, and with the unhoused youth population. In Amanda’s most recent position as community organizer with Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates, she helped to build a national coalition of activists and artivists known as “Tornillo: The Occupation.” A coalition of people who are deeply invested in the work of seeing the immigration system as it currently stands abolished. Through her work as a community organizer, she also helped to build mutual aid networks. She is a trained full-spectrum/postpartum doula, and focuses on the maternal health of birthing people in her community who are often neglected by colonial medical systems. Amanda works with Inpower Institute as a healer and educator. She has a passion for bringing others into healing spaces and sharing what she has learned through her own healing journey.
Join us in welcoming Amanda to our team! She can be reached at atello@fsmonline.org.
