Amy Anderson Feathers ’01 describes herself as a hometown girl, so being able to stay in Winchester and go to college was very appealing to her, which is ultimately why she chose Shenandoah. Feathers appreciated the smaller class sizes the university had to offer, as well as the professors’ accessibility.
“The diversity I encountered at SU marks my heart forever,” said Feathers. “I was the hometown girl experiencing international cultures and beliefs through my peers, while also representing Winchester, Virginia, in how I carried myself.”
Feathers’ fondest memories of Shenandoah involved being a part of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), which helped her sustain a leadership spirit throughout her time at the School of Business. She led the competition team and said traveling to Kansas City, Missouri, to represent Shenandoah in a competition was thrilling. It was easy for her to become a part of SIFE since she was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America in high school.
Feathers is the director of marketing at in Winchester, Virginia. In this position, she is essentially the brand ambassador for the company to both internal and external customers. She wants to “internally cultivate excitement for the excellent work being done and a pleasant culture where each person feels valued for their contributions.”
Feathers believes the most rewarding part of her job is going through tough times, especially after she makes it through those situations. “I have always had a network of mentors and friends who believed in me and I could trust and turn to in times of need,” said Feathers. “Working really hard does pay off – I’ve seen that all through my life.”
Feathers’ education from Shenandoah taught her the foundation of many aspects of business, which enabled her to be a well-rounded and successful businesswoman in her career. “Instead of doing one thing really well, I feel that I do a lot of things very well, which has served me in my career,” said Feathers.
Feathers’ advice to students is: “In marketing/business development/communications I do not believe there is one right way to do things. First, you must understand yourself and your strengths and lack thereof. Then you must meet your audience to their areas of need. Never feel afraid to ask for help or to share you do not understand something.”