Amanda's dedication to her clients, her team, and the work itself has shaped an approach to architecture grounded in trust, ownership, and client relationships.
Long before Amanda Speranza-Kelly, NCARB, AIA, began her career in architecture, she was already learning what it meant to build something from the ground up. Growing up, she spent time alongside her father building different structures and working as his helper. When she discovered CAD in high school, that early interest began to take shape as a career. Today, after more than 14 years at APD Engineering & Architecture, her experience has built a strong foundation of problem-solving, collaboration, and client satisfaction that remains at the heart of her craft.
For Amanda, successful architecture begins with something just as important as technical expertise, trust.
“Being upfront and honest is highly valued both by myself and by our clients,” she explains. “We’re human. We make mistakes. But being the first one to say, I noticed this. It’s an error. I apologize. We’re getting it fixed,’ goes a long way.”
That same philosophy is what shapes Amanda approach to client relationships. She believes clients rely on their architectural partners for clear, responsive communication and the confidence that someone will be there when they need an answer. With every investment a client makes in their projects, Amanda recognizes that trust must be earned through honesty, accountability, and consistently following through.
One project that had a lasting impact on Amanda’s perspective was her work with Retina Associates on a new office location. Unlike the prototype driven projects she had grown accustomed to, this project began with a blank slate, without established design standards or a predetermined roadmap. The opportunity challenged Amanda to think differently, make thoughtful design decisions from the ground up, and take greater ownership of the process. The experience strengthened her confidence as a designer while broadening her understanding of architectural practice. It gave her a deeper appreciation for the creativity and complexity involved in building something from the ground up, as well as the clarity and efficiency that a well-developed prototype can provide.
Amanda’s leadership style is rooted in staying close to both the work and the people doing it. She is willing to step in when deadlines tighten or challenges arise, working alongside her team and reinforcing a culture where no one is above the work. That same mindset shapes how she mentors younger designers. Amanda encourages them to ask questions, stay curious, and never let the fear of appearing inexperienced stand in the way of learning. By remaining in the trenches herself, she leads by example and creates an environment where her team feels supported, challenged, and empowered to grow.
Amanda approaches every client’s project with the same care and sense of ownership she would bring to an investment of her own. She takes the time to understand not only the goals of the project, but the people behind it, the brand they have built, and what success truly means to them. That level of investment allows her to form relationships that extend well beyond a single project. For her, the strongest partnerships are built when clients know they have more than a designer at the table. They have someone who cares about their business, anticipates their needs, and is genuinely invested in helping them succeed.
The same dedication Amanda brings to her work is reflected in what matters most to her outside the office: her family. She treasures time with her husband and two sons and loves bringing her extended family together, especially around the holidays, when cooking and hosting give her another way to care for the people closest to her. Looking ahead, Amanda hopes to take her family to Naples, Italy, where her father was born and spent the first 15 years of his life. More than a destination, the trip would be an opportunity to immerse herself in her father’s roots, experience the culture that helped shape her family’s story, and share that connection with the next generation.
