Amanda English has spent her career quietly building bridges between communities, institutions, and people. She began her public service journey as an investigator for the U.S. Department of Defense, where she worked behind the scenes to support national security efforts with integrity and diligence.

Her path led her to law enforcement, where she eventually served as a police chief — one of the few women to hold that role. She approached leadership with a focus on listening, mentorship, and creating safer, more inclusive environments for both officers and the communities they served.

As Director of Basic Peace Officer instruction, she helped shape legislation that made it possible to establish standardized academies across Oklahoma. Her goal was simple: ensure that every new officer entered the field with the training, ethics, and community awareness the role demands.

Believing deeply in the power of opportunity, she developed a national best practice program to help inner-city youth explore careers in law enforcement — opening doors for young people who might never have seen themselves in uniform, and helping agencies better reflect the communities they serve.

Her work has also extended to international diplomacy, serving as a liaison to the armed forces and briefing foreign prime ministers and officials on matters of security and cooperation. She approached each engagement with humility and a deep respect for cultural understanding.

Today, she serves as the Interim Director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, continuing her commitment to public service through regulatory oversight and ethical leadership.

Throughout her career, Amanda English has focused not on recognition, but on impact — quietly shaping systems, mentoring others, and creating pathways for those who come next. She’s honored to share her story and hopes it encourages others to lead with purpose, compassion, and courage.