About the Series
The “Meet the Board” series highlights the dedicated leaders behind the National WIC Association. Each spotlight offers a glimpse into the journeys, passions, and perspectives of our Board members, showcasing the people who help guide our mission to support and strengthen WIC across the country.
Amanda Hovis, Director of Nutrition Education and Clinic Services at Texas Health and Human Services
For over two decades, Amanda Hovis has dedicated herself to advancing nutrition and health outcomes through the WIC program. As the Director of Nutrition Education and Clinic Services at Texas Health and Human Services, Amanda has spent 20 years shaping how WIC services reach families in Texas. For the past four years, she’s also brought her deep expertise and big-picture thinking to the National WIC Association’s Board of Directors, serving as Treasurer. Her journey is marked by connection, curiosity, and a passion for lifting up the WIC community.
In the Q&A below, Amanda reflects on her experience in WIC, her goals for the board, and her passion for the program's future.
Tell us about your journey to the National WIC Association Board. How did you get involved, and what inspired you to get engaged?
I first served on the calendar committee and the Reach Them, Teach Them task force, and then the Nutrition Section. I loved getting to know the other states and learning from them. After I left the board for a year, I was asked if I might be interested in running for the Treasurer position. I thought it sounded really interesting, and I’m so glad I did. It has been a terrific learning experience.
What’s a goal or initiative you're particularly excited about this year?
I’m excited that NWA is exploring new avenues to engage the broader WIC community and increase participation from WIC staff and participants. It feels energizing to be part of that momentum.
What impact do you hope the National WIC Association will have in the next 5 years?
Amanda is still reflecting on this one, and we love that. Big visions take time.
Coming out of the recent NWA Board meeting, what inspired or energized you most, and how do you hope to carry that momentum into the year ahead?
I was inspired by learning about the amazing work our NWA staff are doing to help WIC staff. A couple of examples that stood out to me this time included the new Tradewing app for the NWA community and hearing more about the MIS strategy project. I also loved that, as a board, we spent time orienting ourselves and new board members to the year and thinking about how we want to work together, including some simple ways to increase connection and collaboration between board members. I think that we set a great foundation for the year ahead.
What’s a fun fact most people don’t know about you?:
I once danced in the Super Bowl!
Want to learn more about Amanda and the rest of the Board?
Explore the full Board of Directors at nwica.org/board and see how members like Amanda are helping shape the future of WIC. If you're interested in leadership, committee work, or simply getting more involved, Amanda encourages you to go for it—you never know where it might lead.
We thank Amanda for participating in this series and for her ongoing contributions to the WIC community. Visit our website to learn more about the board, and visit our blog to find other “Meet the Board” blog posts. To connect with Amanda and learn more about her background and experience, feel free to reach out to her in the NWA Online Community.