Fine Arts Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Gibson ‘17

 

From the WHIS anchor desk to international reporting and now leading media strategy, Amanda Gibson ’17 has built a career defined by curiosity, courage and a commitment to elevating women’s voices. After serving as an executive producer and anchor for WHIS at HIES, Ms. Gibson earned her Journalism degree from Elon University, where she conducted award-winning research, traveled to Buenos Aires to interview women about memory and media and presented her published work at a national conference. Today, she serves as director of public relations & media for Hannah Cranston, helping female-focused brands and emerging leaders step boldly into the spotlight.

You started your media career right here at HIES as a WHIS Anchor and Executive Producer—what’s one on-air blooper or behind-the-scenes moment you’ll never forget?

I’m sure there are countless bloopers while doing the weather! We’d film a handful of days in advance of when it would actually air and the green screen always left room for error - so watching the final segment come together always had a few hiccups but was a great lesson in improvising and building the skills for confident public speaking! Holiday episodes were always fun and playful too!

Your college research took you all the way to Buenos Aires to interview women about their experiences under dictatorship—how did that trip change the way you think about storytelling and truth in the media?

That trip fundamentally reshaped how I think about truth and the responsibility that comes with telling stories. The stories we’re told at face value aren’t always the full picture, especially in today’s polarized media environment. Media literacy is going to be one of the most important skills of the next decade and it requires the courage to question what we accept as “truth.”
In Buenos Aires, I investigated a pattern we’ve seen throughout history with mega-events like the Olympics or World Cup where governments often use these events to project authority on the world stage while masking internal turmoil. In Argentina during the 1970s, the final match of the World Cup took place less than a mile from one of the largest torture centers of the desaparecidos. Yet most international coverage barely acknowledged the political repression happening.

It’s still a painful chapter of Argentine history. My host mom never spoke about it when asked yet there were still weekly demonstrations from those impacted by the regime. That contrast was a powerful reminder that every story has multiple versions and the truth that lives somewhere in the grey space. As a reporter and as a person, it taught me to keep challenging my own assumptions even when you think you have the full story.

Now you’re helping female-focused brands find their voice and power in the public eye. What’s the most rewarding part of helping women step into the spotlight?

Championing female voices is truly the highlight of my career. Women founders still receive significantly less VC funding and visibility can be a game changer for bringing attention to deserving, innovative solutions especially in women’s health. In a moment where LLMs are trained on online data and we’re seeing increasing censorship around women’s health information, making sure these stories are heard is more important than ever.

On a personal level, I’ve been incredibly lucky to build my career in predominantly female-led environments. Having strong women as mentors, decision-makers and role models has shaped the way I work - and femininity doesn’t have to be a crutch or something you hide but an asset for leadership, growth and inspiring others. Being in an agency setting means I get to be hands-on across so many initiatives and it feels like a genuine engine for change.

The most rewarding part is seeing how storytelling can unlock opportunity, growth and confidence for women who deserve to be in the spotlight. We’ve helped female founders secure funding, land retail partnerships and provide critical education and access.

If WHIS were to do a feature on your career today, what story would you want them to tell?

I’d hope the story reflects not just the milestones but the people and communities who helped me get here—and the ones I’ve been able to support in return. Some of my proudest accomplishments are the relationships I’ve built along the way and mentorship opportunities and building strong internship programs. I’d want the story to show the power of community and staying rooted while also daring to push against the boundaries you once imagined for yourself.

What advice would you give to HIES students who want to use their voice—whether in journalism, PR or broadcasting—to make an impact and tell meaningful stories?

Your best story hasn’t been written yet. There will always be a new challenge or boundary to push and redefining those limits is part of the journey. Curiosity will always be your greatest asset, especially in the age of AI. Staying a sharp writer, an independent thinker and someone unafraid to dig deeper will set you apart. Sometimes the uncertainty is where the most meaningful stories and memories begin. Lean in to that uncertainty and Keep it Golden!