She hasreceived numerous accolades, including the 2024 Cannes Film Award Honorable Mention for Best Inspirational Film, and the First Sergeant of the Year Award from the State of Michigan in 2023.
SWANTON, OH, October 02, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Amanda Elizabeth Held has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Held is the founder of H.O.O.V.E.S. (Healing of Our Veterans Through Equine-Assisted Services), an organization dedicated to rehabilitating injured horses and veterans. For more than a decade, she has led this initiative, transforming lives through her innovative approach to equine-assisted services. Her most remarkable achievement has been her work with rescued horses and injured veterans who had been told they would never recover. Despite initial skepticism, she successfully rehabilitated many of these horses and helped veterans regain hope for a fulfilling life.
In addition to her role at H.O.OV.E.S., Ms. Held became the CEO of Riverbend Leadership Solutions in 2012 , where she facilitated personal and professional growth for both corporate teams and executives. In 2021, she founded the Equine Wisdom Institute, where she now teaches other horse and human behavior enthusiasts her Equine Wisdom Integration Method™. She began her career as a horse trainer at Riverbend Stables, where she worked from 2006 until 2014.
Ms. Held's military service is equally distinguished. She currently serves as the Human Resources Advisor to the Commander of the 110th Wing, United States Air Force and Michigan National Guard. She held her previous position as a First Sergeant for the 127th Medical Group, 127th Fighter Wing, United States Air Force and Michigan National Guard, a position she has held since 2021. Previously, she worked in human resources for the Ohio Air National Guard from 2013 to 2022 and served as a human resources Technical Sergeant for both the 122nd Fighter Wing, Indiana Air National Guard, between 2013 and 2018 and the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, from 2006 until 2013. Her military career began in human resources with the United States Air Force from 1999 to 2003. Her time overseas includes Slovakia in 2016 in support of Exercise SLOVAK WARTHOG and Italy in 2019 in support of Operation ALLIES REFUGE.
Forging the path for Ms. Held's professional journey has been her dedication to continuous education. She first earned a series associate degrees: one in small business administration and management from Owens Community College in 2007, another in human resources from the Community College of the Air Force in 2007 and a third in sales and marketing from Owens Community College in 2008. She subsequently earned a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership from the University of Arizona Global Campus in 2017, followed by a master's degree in psychology from the University of Arizona Global Campus, which she acquired in 2023. Additionally, she became certified as an equine specialist in equine psychotherapy by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association in 2017.
Beyond her primary roles, Ms. Held served as a board member of The Arms Forces from 2009 to 2012 and is currently involved with Horses for Mental Health, Arenas For Change (ARCH), EQUUS Film & Arts Fest, and the Mustang Summit. She has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Cannes Film Award Honorable Mention for Best Inspirational Film, the First Sergeant of the Year Award from the State of Michigan in 2023, the Hometown Hero Award multiple times and recognition as one of the Top 100 People of Influence by Success Magazine in 2022. As a published author, she continues to share her insights and experiences through various projects.
Ms. Held attributes her success to her determination to block out negative influences and persist in her efforts, refusing to give up no matter how challenging the situation becomes. Her favorite mantra is "Chop wood, carry water, wake up and do it again," which has guided her through both personal struggles and professional triumphs.
Looking ahead, Ms. Held aims to share the positive power of horses through the release of the documentary H.O.O.V.E.S. Healing our veterans and her podcast "The Pegasus Perspective". In addition to sharing the message, she aspires to train numerous facilitators globally in her Equine Wisdom Integration Method™ and plans to establish chapters of her organization in various locations across the world.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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