Pat Tillman Foundation Names 2012 Tillman Scholar Amber Manke to its Board of Directors

The Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) today announced the appointment of Dr. Amber Manke, a 2012 Tillman Scholar, to its Board of Directors. Manke earned her Ph.D. in organizational leadership, policy, and development and a M.Ed. in adult education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and leads leadership development programs for clinicians through the Provider Development Institute at Optum, part of United Health Group. She is the first Tillman Scholar to serve as a member of the foundation’s board.

“I was deeply honored to have been chosen as a Tillman Scholar, and I’m grateful  for the opportunity to provide a voice and lead inside the foundation as a member of the board ,” Manke said. “I feel just like I did when I got the call to join this community in 2012 – humbled, surprised and energized. I’m ready to bring my experience and passion for organizational leadership and development to make a difference.” 

Manke helped launch the foundation’s regional captain program, which builds engagement with Tillman Scholars through volunteer service projects and social events throughout the U.S. She ran for Team Tillman in the New York Marathon and Chicago Marathon to raise the amount of her scholarship and support the foundation. Manke has served for several years on the foundation’s selection committees at the local and national level. 

In addition to her work at Optum, she continues to serve as a lieutenant colonel and battalion commander in the Minnesota Army National Guard, where she leads warrant officer and officer candidate school to commission the next generation of officers., In this position, she inspires  future leaders to carry on the legacy of leaders like Pat Tillman. She lives in the Twin Cities with her spouse, Sam, and their German dogs, Zetus and Fenix. 

“Amber exemplifies an ethos of leadership through action as a Tillman Scholar, in her humble leadership at Optum, in service as a Battalion Commander in the National Guard, and now as she amplifies the impact of this community on our board of directors,” said Dan Futrell, CEO and 2011 Tillman Scholar. “I’m grateful to be able to partner with her in this next chapter on board. I look forward to her expertise in organizational development and adult education and the role she’ll play to drive the long-term strategic direction of our foundation.”