Amanda Holden, BSc’87

Recipient of the Western Science Alumni Award of Achievement

Amanda Holden's path to receiving the Western Science Alumni Award of Achievement highlights her dedication, resilience and passion for technology, creativity and community service.  

Born in Sarnia, Ontario, Amanda's interest in science was sparked by her father, an engineer. Despite initially leaning towards the arts, she discovered her true passion for science. This realization led her to Western, where she excelled in a challenging academic environment, drawn to computer science for its problem-solving nature. Her education set the stage for an impressive academic and professional journey.

Following graduation, Amanda entered a booming field as one of the few women in her cohort. She began a trailblazing career at TD Bank, where she managed technology training programs and quickly rose through various management roles. Amanda transitioned into her first executive position at Visa Inc., overseeing operations, technology and fraud prevention. This role exposed her to boardroom dynamics, often as one of the few women present. Leadership roles at Interac Corp. followed, where she led teams in operations, fraud prevention, data management, artificial intelligence and analytics.

Amanda is a strong advocate for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She founded the SAS Women in Analytics Network, an organization that mentors women in technology, promotes merit-based recognition and fosters inclusive work environments.

Amanda currently holds a prominent position at Deloitte, focused on fraud prevention in the government sector through advancing technology and delivering secure services to citizens. This reflects Amanda’s deep commitment to work that is impactful and values based.

Though Amanda’s achievements are numerous, she is particularly proud of her role in modernizing technology for the Interac e-Transfer system, supporting Canada’s move to chip, contactless and mobile payments and enhancing fraud prevention capabilities. Her leadership style emphasizes empowering teams and leaving a positive impact.

Beyond her professional life, Amanda is passionate about photography, travel and the arts, which provides a creative balance to her technical career. Amanda also actively supports a shared passion with her sister Claire through the Midlifecurious project, which explores and celebrates the transformative experiences of midlife and supports women to live their lives fully. Amanda sits on several boards and supports a variety of community groups and associations, bringing her extensive experience to the table.  

Amanda’s journey is one of continuous learning, resilience and unwavering commitment to her profession and her community. Her story is an inspiration to aspiring professionals, particularly women in technology, highlighting the importance of networking, mentorship and perseverance to overcome barriers and achieve success.