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 ✍️

Infinite Possibilites Trainer

JenergyVibes

The Power to Heal with JenergyVibes is your power hour for discovering your innate power to heal through the energetics of self healing. Join me each week as my guests and I share the infinite possibilities for healing mind, body, spirit naturally and holistically.

Live TV Host

Powerful Creator

Emotion Code • Release Technique • Empowered Energetics • Reiki • Shiva Murti

Emotional Release Practitioner & Energy Healer

Jen Russman

I turned my self healing experience into an opportunity to help inspire others to self heal from MS and other auto immune conditions. I built and ran a global community online to educate and inspire others and let them know that healing is possible.

Certified Holistic Health Coach

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞: Our pain is power when given purpose. 

𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚…
Pain built me and from it my power and purpose emerged ~ 

Guiding women to heal and open their hearts so they can embody true inner harmony: peace, presence and joy. And create their JOY NOW! 

Here’s how:

𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙣… 
For decades I betrayed myself by staying small just to feel safe. 

Years of sexual traumas and emotional suppression led to addiction and self harm. 

Depression and anxiety took hold.

Suppressing the pain built up in my body and ultimately manifested as multiple sclerosis (MS). 

I completely fell apart at age 29. 

For seven years I lived a nightmare sick, disabled and homebound and disappeared into the shadows of a failing body. 

I lost everything…

My independence, a career, my first business, and my marriage. 

𝙋𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧…
At 36 I experienced a divine intervention that rebuilt me and rocked my world. 

I heard a voice say, “I’m done” and made a power of decision to heal. 

I had no idea how. Instead, I discovered an unshakeable inner knowing and higher guidance leading me. 

A burning desire ignited within me to manifest freedom to BE fully me without reservation, guilt or shame.  

From that one decision, I’ve healed and transformed FREE from all of it.

I manifested my potency and so can you. 

𝙔𝙤𝙪…
I see you. 

You are a powerful woman ~ innately  intuitive, loving, spirited, ambitious. 

But there’s a disconnect. Your light has been on dim and you’re not sure how or if it can be turned up. 

Despite your best efforts you still struggle to break free from the pain story and trust yourself. 

And you’re asking “What’s wrong with me?”

Sister, there’s nothing wrong with you. 

You are divinely gifted and powerful AF. 

Women partner with me to heal and thrive beyond unstuck. 

You will emotionally heal from old baggage, unlock your innate power and manifest your desires. 

You will expand into next level you with divine joy, ease, flow and support. 

You are meant to be more YOU. 

“𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘦. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘶𝘴.”  ~ 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘴𝘰𝘯







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The Battle

Amanda Stern ✍️

Jen Russman

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