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 ✍️

Connected Wisdom

What IS soulful living anyway?

Sounds woo woo right? 

I thought so too. 

I spent years searching for hacks, solutions, how to's, steps, and “the thing” that would help me feel more energized, clear and mindful, and less stressed and anxious.

I read books, took courses, worked with more energy practitioners and gurus than you can imagine. 

And still something always felt like it was missing.

It’s because I was looking ‘out there’ for what was already right here. 

I thought I had to do all the things. Practice all the practices. Know all the theories. And then I would be okay. 

It took me 40+ years to see I was already more than okay, and that all that ‘stuff’ was only leading to temporary boosts.

Real, lasting impact began when I started noticing. 

Noticing that what appeared to steal the energy, peace, mindfulness and calm was identification with the never-ending chatter of thoughts and fleeting emotions. 

Noticing that beneath the endless noise in my head and the emotional turmoil was the exact thing I’d been “looking for”. 

And I didn’t have to do anything except notice it. 

What a relief!

Now I work with over-thinkers, chronically anxious, doubtful and burned out folks to help them notice:

–Suffering is in the mind

–You are not your thoughts nor emotions, but rather the beautifully calm and peaceful awareness beneath

–All that you look for ‘out there’ is already ‘in here’. 

I walk alongside you to notice all that you already are and let go of all you are not. 

That’s soulful living. 

DM me to find out more.

Soulful Living Coach & Facilitator

Verity International Limited

Helping organizations enhance their existing leadership capacity through coaching, talent management and leadership development.

Director, Leadership Development and Training

Ledcor

As a Senior Talent Development specialist I led enterprise-wide talent initiatives including:

--Development and implementation of Ledcor Leader Expectations, a framework to define leadership at Ledcor. This provided clarity and consitent language for leaders in the organization and provided the foundation for our leadership programs. 

--Managed the implementation of the Senior Leadership Program (SLP) for C-suite and executive leadership roles. This program provided executive education and peer relationship building opportunities for our most senior leaders, helping them to enhance their awareness and to work collaboratively across functions. Implementation included: influencing key stakeholders, partnering with vendors to design a program aligned to Ledcor Leader Expectations, org-wide communication and education, and developing ongoing learning to support the initial program. 

--Supporting foundational DEI components, including formation of an executive committe,employee resource groups, engaging vendors to support consultative and educational support for employees and leaders, and developing a robust communications plan. 

--Revising performance management and talent review practices to align with leader expectations and to simplify overly complex models. This included creating semi-customized approaches for different lines of business with unique operational needs, and planning for integration of tools and processes into Workday.

--Developing a Frontline Leadership Program, with an emphasis on field leaders.Working with external partners, we shaped a core program to provide frontline leaders with foundational skills in people management, and also supported leaders to connect with appropriate technical learning.

Senior Talent Development Specialist

As Interim Head of Learning & Talent, I led the learning function and talent management initiatives for the organization. This included:

--Championing a massive Learning team project, the implementation of a technical skills "program" for multiple lines of business. We worked with SMEs to identify critical technical skills for all core operations roles and linked skills to existing internal/external learning opportunities. 

--Moving DEI initiatives forward, including critical organizational communication, learning opportunities and executive engagement. 

--Implementing an organizational mental health and wellness approach to connect employees to existing resources; to provide themed learning sessions; and facilitating an executive panel on mental health and wellness. 

--Oversight of all ongoing talent and learning intiatives.

Interim Head of Learning & Talent

ViRTUS

In this role, I worked as part of content development team to create semi-customized and customized leadership development programs. A core part of my role was shaping overall flow and content, and creating detailed facilitator guides for all programs. 

Program content areas included: emotional intelligence, conflict and difficult conversations, feedback, communication, teamwork and team function, and coaching. 

In addition, I supported unique project work to create leadership and competency models for our partner organizations.

Leadership Development Instructional Designer

Hootsuite

Working with VP of Learning & Leadership Development:
--Supported performance management implementation by designing educational resources for HR generalists, leaders and individual contributors and by drafting internal communications to support the launch. 
--Completed program design for culture and values on-boarding component, and several workshops for the Personal Mastery program 
--Co-designed Leader Forums, a leadership development experience in which small cohorts of leaders engage in regular, facilitated dialogue focused on solving their actual workplace challenges.

OD & Leadership Development (Contract)

BuildDirect

Building and delivering learning solutions that maintain culture and drive results through rapid organizational growth.

* Designed and implemented new Orientation to BuildDirect, supporting 113 new hires in 2014. This session includes 4 short workshops designed to help employees gain a stronger understanding of our history, vision, business model and strategies, and our employee experience.

* Design and facilitate all internal learning opportunities including leadership development workshops for leaders at all levels, and sessions for individual contributors focused on communication skills, ownership and accountability. 

* Support performance management design and implementation: developed 2015 performance management approach and trained organizational leaders on guiding the process within their teams; lead career development sessions; co-designed talent review approach and structure 

* Partner with organizational leaders to identify ad hoc learning needs and to provide leadership coaching

* Designed and implemented Scrum Bootcamp to operationalize scrum methodology across our business

* Currently lead all internal communications (mat leave coverage) including: communicating organizational change initiatives, creating messaging for employee and leadership updates, and working with the executive team to create content for bi-monthly company-wide meetings

*Manage compensation including: job analysis and levelling, salary adjustments, educating leaders on compensation best practices, and annual salary reviews

* Implemented and conducted narrative 360 feedback assessments for all organizational leaders (managers to executive team) to align with our value of getting better every day and to support leadership growth at all levels. 

* Provide HR generalist support for marketing and technology groups (130 + employees) including managing employee relations issues, coaching managers to increase employee engagement, and handling leave requests and terminations.

Head of Organizational Development & Learning

Shaw Communications

Working with the Director of Leadership Development & Learning Operations, and in partnership with key stakeholders, I support the development and implementation of Shaw’s national leadership and talent development strategy. 

* Partnered with senior leaders to begin shaping our first enterprise-wide leadership competencies

* Implemented Shaw Foundations of Leadership Certificate for 1100 front line leaders:
     - Facilitated steering committee with executive team and working committee with operational              
       leaders to identify key content areas and to align delivery strategy with operational needs
     - Led RFP process to select a vendor for $1m+ contract
     - Hired team of senior leadership development facilitators to deliver program nationally
     - Designed 6 module engagement for leaders with a mix of vendor-driven content and Shaw-
       specific content
     - Designed inter-module activities to enhance transfer of learning including peer coaching 
       sessions
     - Developed facilitator guides and preparation process for VPs to co-facilitate content along-
      side leadership development facilitators

*  Developed talent review processes to support succession planning and selection into talent development programming
*  Designed e-learning program for new leader onboarding for internal promotions and external hires to gain quick understanding of key leadership expectations and to match new leaders with mentors
*  Designed and delivered: Leadership Fundamentals I and Leadership Fundamentals II built around Goleman's leadership styles and climate
*  Partnered with Total Rewards team to support aligned performance management practices across the organization
* Enhanced relationships with HR generalist team and gained their trust and support in promoting leadership programs 
* Led a team of coordinators and leadership development facilitators

Manager, Leadership Development

The Banff Centre

As Program Manager I supported a blend of open enrolment and customized leadership programs and learning solutions. Key accomplishments and accountabilities included:
•	Provide organizational and leadership development consultation to select client groups 
•	Conduct needs assessments with individuals, business unit leaders, and senior HR teams and consult on leadership and talent development strategies and programs
•	Implement post training strategies to enhance application of learning in the workplace, including coaching, online learning communities, and action learning projects
•	Monitor program evaluation and feedback to identify need for content, faculty or topical changes
*  Worked with faculty to design programs that meet client needs and provide ongoing feedback to program faculty teams
*  Implemented Faculty Engagement approach to increase community and connection across a team of 100+ contract faculty
•	Provide ongoing performance coaching and development to 5-7 program delivery team members

Program Manager, Leadership Development

Training Innovations

Led the Operations and HR for Employment Resource Centres in Squamish and North Vancouver

* Hired and trained career counsellors and resource centre staff for both centres, leading teams of 6-8 individuals
* Provided coaching and development to team in areas of career counselling and client service
* Promoted ERC services through a variety of marketing channels to increase centre usage and meet ERC targets
* Partnered with HRDC to report key centre outcomes and to ensure that we continued to meet funder mandates
* Worked with leadership team to create performance management tools and processes including implementing new performance review approach built on core organizational values and career development competencies

Career Services Manager

Provided career counseling services to individuals in career transition; supported individuals to identify career options and to conduct effective job searches.

Learning & Employment Strategist

TELUS Communications

Responded to 611 repair calls and coordinated service solutions to address residential and business client needs.

Customer Service Reprentative--611

What does it mean to find freedom from overthinking and self-doubt?

It means being at peace with all your thoughts, no matter what they are. 

You realize you are not your thoughts. 

You are the steady stream of awareness running beneath them, who is not at all bothered by the thinking mind’s endless stream of thought. 

It might sound like an impossible dream, but it’s not. 

If you’re an overthinker, you’re probably used to trying to think your way to solutions to your big questions and challenges.  

But chances are all that thinking is not helping you feel more certain or clear. 

In fact, all that overthinking is probably the very thing that:

👉Keeps you up at night with your mind spinning. 

👉Makes you waffle on decisions or agonize over making the “right” choice. 

👉Causes you to remain quiet when you have something to say

👉Amps up your anxiety by making you scan for everything that could possibly go wrong in any situation.

👉Leads you to replay events long past over and over (and over) again wondering what you could have said or done differently. 

👉Convinces you that you need to hold onto control or that things need to be a certain way for you to be okay.

When we see how much our thoughts lead to suffering, most of us want to stop our thoughts. We focus on trying to control what's going on inside our heads. 

I've yet to find someone who's had long term success with that strategy (including me!). 

What's perhaps a source of great relief is that you don't have to stop your thoughts at all. 

It's not the thoughts themselves that are causing "a problem". It's that you believe them. You identify with them. You grab onto them and engage with them. 

You are looking for peace, calm, focus and certainty in your thinking mind. 

But that’s not where you’ll find them.

I know, because I tried for close to 40 years trying to peaceful, calm and focused clarity.

But the more I sought guidance and answers in my thoughts, the worse I felt. 

It wasn’t until I got out of my head that I found relief: Wise guidance. Acceptance. Trust. 

I’m no more special than you. You can experience the same things. 

If you’re an overthinker, let's talk. 

DM me. No sales pitches. Just space to explore what's possible for you.

taplio

The Battle

Amanda Stern ✍️

Lindsay Parker

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