Girl Boss 2018: Amy Medford

Amy Medford has her eyes set on community. 

As The Shops at Willow Bend’s marketing director, she has been one of the key leaders behind The Shops’ $125-million renovation. She also advises the Plano Chamber of Commerce on event planning. In July Amy became the new president of the Plano Metro Rotary Club, a service organization that meets various philanthropic needs of the community, including offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors. 

Earlier this year, as Plano Metro Rotary’s president elect, Amy headed up planning the 31st annual Casino Night fundraiser, which had nearly 400 guests and helped raise $65,000 for H.E.R.O.E.S., a local organization that serves children with disabilities. That money was used to purchase a handicap-accessible bus, allowing the organization to take children on field trips and to doctor appointments.

“I try to be really involved with the community as much as I can,” Amy said. “I really like being able to help other people.”

Community work is nothing new to her, though. In the past, she was a part of the Plano Chamber’s Leadership Plano program and served on the advisory committee for the Junior League of Collin County and the board of directors of Plano ISD Education Foundation. She also made the time to act as an assistant coach for one of her two daughter’s volleyball team. 

Amy is always thinking of ways to incorporate the community at The Shops at Willow Bend. As part of the Live 360° programming that hosts classes, demonstrations and workshops to engage the community, she asked Plano-based Goliath Games to team up on a family game night in the shopping center’s Food Court.

Before that, she was part of a project called Willow Bend Gives Back that allowed customers to bring back their receipts so the shopping center could give cash donations to various charities in the area. Every year, The Shops partner with the Salvation Army, and this year will also team up with the North Texas Food Bank for its annual peanut butter drive. 

Amy comes from a long line of community minded citizens, and she hopes to leave a legacy for her daughters in the same way her family left one for her. “I think it’s good for my kids to see me lead by example,” she said. “My parents and grandparents always felt that community was important, and I try to emulate that to my kids.”

See all of the 2018 Girl Bosses >
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