Amanda Clay is the chief development officer of Meow Wolf, an arts and entertainment company that creates immersive art experiences. As CDO, Clay oversees all creative, fabrication, and development of Meow Wolf’s permanent exhibitions. She started working at Meow Wolf six years ago as the general manager of the House of Eternal Return, the company’s first installation in Santa Fe. She has since overseen the operations teams in all four permanent exhibitions.
Clay leads the team responsible for building Meow Wolf’s The Real Unreal, which opened this July, and is currently shepherding the development of Meow Wolf’s future exhibitions, including the upcoming exhibition in Houston opening in 2024.
Before joining Meow Wolf, Clay spent 13 years creating global and national campaigns in marketing and advertising for agencies including Havas, McGarry Bowen, and Berlin Camerson.
“Amanda’s contribution to Meow Wolf cannot be understated. Having joined the company at a pivotal moment in our evolution, her long-standing leadership is a key element of our success,” said one person who nominated Clay. “Her drive to ensure that we remain authentic to our identity is a key component of our growth, from 300,000 visitors in 2016 to nearly three million people in 2022.”
They added: “Without Amanda, Meow Wolf as we know it would not exist today. Her well-earned trajectory within the company reflects her capabilities, but it’s important to note that the trajectory of Meow Wolf is a direct result of Amanda’s impact on who we are.”
The House of Eternal Return, Meow Wolf’s first experience, opened in 2016. It was followed in 2021 by Omega Mart at Area15 in Las Vegas, Convergence Station in Denver, and The Real Unreal in Texas.