The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc. 

Newly recruited to lead our fundraising efforts to support the mission of advancing oral health equity in Connecticut. I take a relational approach to development, building genuine connections with donors, partners, and community members.

Development Manager

Journaling for Growth

Chief Journaling Officer

CT Library Consortium

Community builder for librarians. First to fill the role of Events & Special Projects Manager for statewide membership collaborative serving ~1,000 Connecticut libraries. 

Known for my personal brand of magic - creating spaces where members felt safe to learn and grow, turning nebulous ideas into concrete programs and services, and planning and executing events so fun they didn't feel like work - I helped members of our community feel seen, heard, and valued, and provided opportunities for them to build skills to better serve their communities. 

Known for being an innovative thinker who imagines creative solutions to problems, often anticipating needs before they arose, I instigated moving our Roundtable program virtual in early 2020, teaching members to use Zoom and modeled how to run an effective meeting. (Librarians went on to use what they learned here to put on programs for their own communities.)

I partnered with the Connecticut Storytelling Center to launch a storytelling training workshop series for librarians. I conceptualized and executed three different vendor expo models, all of which were wildly successful. And I established a new Program Directory to connect libraries with performers and workshop providers. 

I led the national Take Your Child to the Library Day initiative, serving as project manager, growing the program in visibility through projects such as the creation of both community-centric and librarian-centric websites, speaking at the Public Library Association Conference in April 2024, and publishing an article in Public Libraries Magazine in Summer 2024. I partnered with EveryLibrary to create Advocacy Training webinar series to build capacity among children's librarians, and established State Ambassador program to build support and visibility nationwide. I partnered with Demco to create a line of promotional products for TYCLD 2025.

Events and Special Projects Manager

Northwest Village School

I was selected as the first certified library media specialist at this therapeutic day school for special education students ages 4-21.  

Tasked with creating our library media program, I transformed a humble bookroom into a vibrant library ecosystem welcoming and accessible to students of all ages and our teachers and support staff. 

I implemented a new library automation software system, replacing the traditional card catalog, revamped our entire collection of materials, assessing gaps for each section and curating age-appropriate resources, and established new collections of both print and digital resources. 

As the designer of library, information and research, and technology skills curricula that I delivered to students, I was part of our teaching team, delivering instruction to students, facilitating professional development for teachers and support staff, and collaborated with teachers on technology integration and co-teaching classes. 

I created safe and welcoming spaces for all of our students, differentiating instruction, employing de-escalation strategies as needed, and building strong relationships with our learners and instructors. 

I had the joy of surprising and delighting students and staff by instituting school literacy events including annual Read Across America celebrations, coordinated external speakers, and introduced graphic novel collection (our most popular and widely circulated school collection).

Library Media Specialist

Avon Free Public Library

As part of our children's services team, I had the amazing privilege of supporting children and families who came to the library.

While on desk, I assisted children and families with navigation of library materials, equipment and resources; provided readers’ advisory services, connecting readers with engaging materials.

I executed original programming for children including reader’s theater workshops, family thank you letter writing, and thematic creative programs connected to the Amazing Castle™ installation. 

I partnered with Teen Librarian on Book Buddies program pairing elementary school students with middle and high school students to foster reading skills.

And I brought my skills from my experience at Northwest Village School to tactfully manage challenging patrons (i.e. high energy and or poor in-library behavior) resulting in reduction of risk behaviors in the library.

Children's Library Specialist

Self-Employed

Family Sabbatical

Ketchum

At Ketchum (formerly Capital Strategies), I worked with associations such as the North Carolina Economic Developers' Association and NC Go! on events (meetings, conferences, legislative days), editing newsletters, and providing member support. I helped develop communications plans for organizations such as Junior League of Raleigh.

Project Coordinator

Journaling is one of the simplest, most beneficial habits you can use to create the life you want to live. 

And yet something is keeping you from it. 

Whether you’re completely new to journaling and don’t know where to start, you’ve journaled some but not found what works for you yet, or you’re a seasoned journaler looking for new ways to infuse your journaling with energy to get the results you want, I can help. 

✍️Why work with me?
If you were going to do it on your own, you would have by now. The information is out there. But you haven’t figured out how to make it work for you yet. And that’s okay. I love getting to help folks just like you create journaling practices that help you reach your goals. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here. We start with you, what you want to achieve, and find simple, sustainable ways to make it happen. 

✍️How to work together
If you need:
🌱A LITTLE BIT OF SUPPORT, check out my curated journal prompt collections through my Substack newsletter. At just $8/month, you’ll receive a daily journal prompt designed to help you get to know and love yourself a little bit better AND solve the problem of not knowing what to write about. (journalingforgrowth.substack.com)

🍀MORE SUPPORT, we'll work together to create your bespoke journaling practice that aligns with your personal growth journey. It’s all about you and what you need to grow. And it starts with a conversation. (tidycal.com/amandastern/strategy-call)

✨ Beyond Journaling—Event Planning & Community Building
Along with my passion for journaling, I bring years of experience as a community builder, event planner, and facilitator. I thrive on creating spaces where people can show up as their true, authentic selves and have real conversations that spark connection, growth, and impact. Whether it’s a small gathering or a large-scale event, I specialize in curating experiences that foster meaningful connections and create positive change. If your organization or mission-driven nonprofit needs someone to plan and facilitate events or build a thriving community, let's talk about how we can make it happen.

✍️ About Me
I’ve been journaling since I was an angsty teenager, and it's my go-to tool for learning and growth. I've used it to uncover what I truly want, make plans to go after it, hold myself accountable, and celebrate success, all while creating a life I don’t want a vacation from. When I’m not journaling, you can find me with my nose in a book, puttering in my garden, laughing with my family, and trying to decide what to make for dinner again tonight.

Amanda Stern ✍️

Helping Entrepreneurs & Speakers Scale | Admin Support, Outreach, Systems & Social Media Strategy

Does this sound familiar?

- You’re drowning in emails, follow-ups, and to-do lists that never end.
- Your systems are scattered, and you feel like you’re reinventing the wheel every day.
- You’re missing out on opportunities because you’re stuck in the weeds instead of in your zone of    genius.

If so, I can help.

I’m the behind-the-scenes powerhouse for speakers and entrepreneurs, making sure every detail is handled so you can focus on inspiring your audience.

I handle: bookings, outreach, contracts, inboxes, social media, and all the little (and big) logistics that keep your business running smoothly.

Proactive. Detail-obsessed. Always three steps ahead.
You bring the message, I’ll handle the rest.

Chastity Alexander

You can’t lead like Nick Saban if you’re still trying to do everything like it’s peewee football.


At some point in business you have to stop playing small ball.

Peewee football =
 doing every task yourself
 reacting to every crisis
 answering every DM, email, and fire
 believing hustle alone = growth

Saban level leadership =
 systems
 structure
 delegation
 strategy
 and surrounding yourself with people who make your job EASIER not heavier.

Scale requires releasing control not gripping tighter.

Most entrepreneurs wait way too long to make this shift.

They want to grow, but their backend still looks like you have 47 tabs open, and I’ll get to it later.

This is exactly where I step in as a Virtual Assistant.

I help you stop playing peewee style operational chaos so you can lead like an actual Division 1 program.

Because the truth is, in business just like football

Championships are built on the backend.

Not on the field.

The photo is of me and my daughter Maddie.  It is from Bryant Denny Stadium in 2015 when I took her to her first Alabama Crimson Tide Football Game and see Nick Saban as well.  This was in Tuscaloosa Alabama.  Watching a D1 football game is almost unexplainable how extraordinary the energy is there.

Holiday Balance for Entrepreneurs


Entrepreneurs feel a special kind of tug during the holidays.

The pull between growing your business and being fully present with your family.

Here’s the truth most won’t say out loud:
You can do both.
Just not at the same time.

Boundaries create freedom.

When you work → work.
When you’re with your people → be WITH your people.

This season isn’t about grinding your way into 2026 at all costs.

It’s about being intentional.
↳ Clarity. 
↳ Capacity. 
↳ Presence.

This holiday season, give yourself permission to do both, without guilt.
Your business will still grow.
Your family still deserves you present.

Both matter.
You’re allowed both.


If you need help in making more time for yourself with admin tasks,

DM me → I got you

Is your boss really making you work through lunch?


Yesterday I was working from a little local coffee shop while eating my lunch and a gentleman walked by and asked if my boss really made me work while I ate.

I smiled and said, “I am the boss.”

This is what I always dreamed of when I left corporate, being able to run my business from anywhere, while creating real impact for other entrepreneurs.

In one hour yesterday I 
→ dropped my dog off at the groomer
→ set up a ManyChat automation for a client
→ drafted Black Friday emails for another
→ enjoyed a turkey wrap + cherry twist Dirty Alani
→ AND ran my business from a laptop at small town coffee shop

I don’t take days like that for granted.

This is freedom.

This is why I do what I do.

Because being a Business Admin / Backend Systems partner gives me flexibility and gives my clients support so THEY can have that kind of freedom too.

Grateful for this season. 
Grateful for this pace. 
Grateful for the clients who trust me with their businesses.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about doing more.

It’s about building in a way where moments like this become normal.

📍 VA Concierge Services turning chaos into clarity one system at a time.

Going viral isn’t the goal.


Having a backend that can actually handle it is.

The Starbucks Bearista situation wasn’t about the cute cup, it was a systems problem. 

Too much demand, not enough prep. And that’s where most businesses get caught , they chase the moment, but they don’t build for what happens after the moment hits.

That’s what I help my clients with as a Virtual Assistant:
→ getting the backend organized before the spotlight
→ making sure communication is clear and consistent
→ strengthening the customer journey so it doesn’t fall apart under pressure

Hype without structure = chaos.
Hype with support = momentum.

A viral moment isn't success, staying trustworthy and reliable after the moment is. 

Let's build your safety net before you need it.

DM me → I got you

taplio

The Battle

Amanda Stern ✍️

Chastity Alexander

Followers

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Performance ScoreChastity Alexander's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Amanda Stern ✍️

Chastity Alexander

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Chastity Alexander's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreChastity Alexander's LinkedIn Performance