Amber Bonasso Thomas

Amber is a Live Events and Theatre Operations Manager at Dallas College in Dallas, TX. She has spent her life in many different industries racking up experiences in many facets of the workforce. In April 2025 she was interviewed by Shout Out DFW. We have presented it for you here. Click HERE for a link to the original article published on the Shoutout DFW website.

Meet Amber

April 30, 2025

Hi Amber, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor is respectful professionalism. I have found that most people work from the perspective of, “If they respect me then I will respect them.” I believe that one should “offer” respect to others. As a result of treating people that way, one can hope to receive that respect in return. I approach every new meeting and new stakeholder with this in mind. I come to the table with respect for what the individual in front of me has done, the position they hold, and the responsibility that they carry. Beginning a conversation or business relationship from this point immediately brings a respectful tone to the meeting. It is easy for someone who feels respected to listen to what you or another has to say. It is possible to build a partnership with someone who makes you feel respected. And professional respect, to me, means that it is not personal. If it is not personal, emotional fragility or volatility cannot find its way into the conversation as a legitimate option. Instead, creativity has the opportunity to thrive.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was told by an instructor once, “Know a little bit about everything, and everything about something.” I have absolutely lived up to that first part! I have been fortunate to have many opportunities to be mentored by amazing supervisors in large corporations such as Disney, Merlin Entertainment, and multiple event companies. I have trained myself to have the courage to jump when handed something new and interesting. I am also a professional actress and theatre maker who has produced many live events and multiple films. I have so many different skill sets that I was never clear on how they would all come together. When I started at Dallas College, I was excited to find an opportunity to implement all of these seemingly “random” skill sets. I would say that I exemplify the fact that if you just keep on going, eventually, you will find your niche. In my current position I am able offer support to every kind of event that I could ever dream of; to interact with countless stakeholders in a vast array of fields; and participate, partner with, and spearhead a wide variety of projects that challenge me. I never get bored, and I have the opportunity to learn something new every day. I am excited to see what the future holds because I have some crazy dreams and I am lucky enough to have a boss who embodies the idea that if you can dream it, you can do it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many who contribute to my success. For this I will shout out three people: 1. My Father, 2. My husband, and 3. My boss. In addition to being my hero, my father, Phil Bonasso, was my first example of professional success and interpersonal interaction. He has the uncanny knack of leaving any interaction having made the person he was speaking to feel like they are respected and appreciated. I learned that skill from him and strive to always implement it in every interaction. My husband, Michael Phillip Thomas, has been an unwavering advocate for my professional success. He makes space for me to dream and makes sure that I never doubt myself in my corporate and creative endeavors. And lastly, my boss, Dean Brett Dyer. He has created a work environment that has allowed me to come into my own in a more concrete way. He is an advocate for the arts and for his team the likes of which I have never seen, and I am so grateful to get to sit under his leadership. I am a strong woman, and I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by men who champion me.

Website: https://www.amberbonasso.com

Instagram: @astardanced4me

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-bonasso-thomas-454b89a

Photo by Renato Rimach