International Affairs Team

Amanda J. Reffsin, Strategic Relationships Director, Asia and the Middle East

Amanda J. Reffsin is the Strategic Relationships Director for Asia and the Middle East in the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. In this role, she leads the Office’s engagement with Consulates, Permanent Missions, and the United Nations, with a focus on strengthening partnerships between New York City and governments across Asia and the Middle East. Amanda designs and implements strategic initiatives that highlight the work of NYC agencies, facilitate knowledge exchange, and foster collaboration between the City and the international community. She also plays a key role in coordinating diplomatic visits, supporting protocol obligations, and developing programming that connects global stakeholders with New York City’s priorities.

Amanda brings over a decade of experience in humanitarian response, international development, and global partnerships. Before joining the NYC Mayor’s Office, she served as Associate Principal for Humanitarian Assistance at Miyamoto International, where she led USAID-funded disaster response programs across Haiti, Türkiye, Ukraine, Indonesia, and beyond. She also held senior roles at the International Rescue Committee, managing a $50+ million portfolio across the Middle East and North Africa, and at CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), where she led emergency response field operations.

Amanda is passionate about education in emergencies and advancing equity through upstream, social policy approaches. Her career has spanned crisis response, strategic planning, and cross-sector collaboration, with a focus on building resilient systems and advancing global cooperation. She holds a master’s degree in International Educational Development from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in Culture and Communications from Ithaca College.