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 ✍️

LyndseeLoves

Founder | Ghostwriter + Content Creator

Freelance Copywriter

The Corporate Psychic

Content Assistant

Shorthand

Senior Editorial Success Manager

Editorial Success is one part design strategy, one part customer success. In a world where digital information and engagement is at an all time high, I worked with customers in higher education, media, non-profits, and beyond to tell strikingly compelling stories that move hearts and minds.

Shorthand is a platform used to build dynamic web content such as articles, reports, portfolios, proposals, and more without the use of code or any web design skills necessary.

Customers include University of Houston, The University of Texas at Austin, Rutgers, University of Alabama, Emory, Adweek, UNICEF, and more!

Editorial Success Manager

Harry Ransom Center

Continued management of the Membership Department for the Harry Ransom Center. Promotion to the Head of Membership included additional responsibilities such as coordination of international travel for the advisory council and top-tier donors, advanced engagement with donors through in-person visits and special events, as well as helping to develop prospective giving opportunities for the Center.

Head of Membership

Developed and managed recruitment of new members, as well as retention of current membership base at the Harry Ransom Center. Maintained avenues of member communications and cultivated relationships and experiences that created meaningful connection with the Center’s 1,000+ members. Planned and executed engaging programs through bi-annual, large-scale exhibition events for audiences of 500+, and smaller, more frequent events such as book clubs and tours, to enhance the value of membership.

Membership Manager

Assisted the Development and Membership departments by entering and acknowledging gifts, and maintaining databases (Salesforce CRM and UT’s donor database, VIP) to ensure the integrity of information. In the absence of the Marketing Manager, acted as the interim liaison between Center staff, the UT Design Center, and external vendors, to facilitate the creation, printing, and distribution of institutional and exhibition related materials. Coordinated events and oversaw student employees, as well as organized and catalogued all paper and electronic files for the three departments (Development, Marketing, and Membership).

Development Associate

Freelance

Created quality content through photography and graphic design. Always striving to utilize my creativity to meet the needs and desires of the client. 

Life is full of interesting and visually stunning people, places, and things—my work is to document and showcase them in an equally spectacular way.

Photography + Design

The University of Texas at Austin

Ran the Friends of Alec annual giving call center through the management of 50 – 60 student employees. Ensured timely processing and acknowledgment of gifts to the annual giving program, which acted as a fundraising channel for seven engineering departments, as well as student scholarships and programs. Maintained in-person and electronic communication with donors, alumni, and students. Planned and executed bi-annual hiring and training sessions for UT student applicants, organized participation in multiple University outreach events throughout the school year, and coordinated events for the annual giving program reaching audiences ranging from 60 to 2,000 people.

Assistant Director

Supported the Dean and the Assistant Dean for Development through composing weekly gift reports and acknowledgments, preparing travel arrangements and processing reimbursements, and maintaining UT and College of Education databases. Increased efficiency of the student scholarship stewardship initiative by implementing the College’s first comprehensive benefaction packet for 175+ Endowment Impact Reports.  Coordinated and planned Advisory Council meetings and events, and facilitated endowment, naming, and venue and catering contracts.

Assisted office of the Dean, and the Director of Development at the Cockrell School of Engineering through processing acknowledgment letters and briefing materials. Helped with event coordination, and office filing and maintenance. Assisted also with the annual endowment impact reports, as well as travel preparations and reimbursements.

Development Assistant

PUBLIC SCHOOL LLC

‘PUBLIC SCHOOL LLC was a collaborative studio specializing in art direction, design, and photography.’

Intern

🌎   I am a perpetual learner in pursuit of knowledge, and a broader understanding of people, culture, and the ways in which we engage with one another. 📚

🤝   Through unique personal (having moved 10+ times before college) and professional experiences (working in non-profits, higher education, and tech), I have gained a perspective resulting in impressive communication skills and a talent for making friends. 🙂

📝   I love words and believe in their power to build bridges, impact and inspire our lives, and to drive change. ❤️

Lyndsee Nielson

I might’ve overdone it this year. 🫠

When I envision what I want for myself—both in my life and career—travel consistently tops the list.

And as things currently stand, I’ve had the honor and privilege of getting to travel for both work and leisure this year.

However, I said “yes” more times than I said “no,” and I’m feeling it. 

But as this is the second full year of running my own business—choosing what my priorities are, determining what 'success' looks like to me, and deciding how to manage some semblance of work/life cohesion—I am pretty proud of myself.

I’ve pushed my limits this year, but I've also gotten to see where my edges are.

I've spent work trips in hotels and conference rooms, but I've extended my stay to explore and play.

I’ve jumped at the chance to see new places, and have booked flights abroad so that I can meet up with friends.

And I’ve worked from elsewhere in the States so that I can spend time with family.

This year I’ve travelled to the following locations (in this order):

Missouri
Dallas/Ft Worth
Washington, DC
San Francisco, CA
North Texas
Houston
London, England
Dallas/Ft Worth
Philadelphia
Missouri
Denver, CO
Palm Springs, CA
Prague, Czechia
Las Vegas, NV
San Diego, CA

And while it’s felt as much of a rollercoaster as the list looks, it’s something I’ve always dreamed of being able to do.

Year 2 of entrepreneurship has looked nothing like year 1.
And I imagine next year will look entirely different as well.

But I’ve been learning more and more about what I'm capable of, and how there are SO many ways to live a life. 

Grateful to be creating one that fills me up ♥️

Your personal branding spirit guide ✨🔮

I don’t have many friends that I’ve known for very long.


Growing up, I moved so often, it would be difficult to keep in touch and to keep friends once we were states apart; our lives moving on without each other.

As I've gotten older, it's proven even more difficult to maintain friendships, let alone make new ones.

Friends from college move away, get married, have babies.

Friends made later in life have their routines already, and have less space and time to incorporate something or someone new.

When I read Patti Smith for the first time, I felt like she was with me.

As if she were my friend, talking to me, and sharing with me her story.

She accompanied me on my three month solo trip throughput Europe, and I cried through her heartbreaks, carrying them with me as if they were my own.

I read this book twice in three months, and just finished the same tattered copy again.

I felt her sorrows,
I laughed along with her.
I hoped for her future.
I sat at the table with her, sipping coffee.
She is my friend; my company.

And while real life friends are important, and necessary, I think friends found in books feel just as real sometimes.

I often get asked: “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙜𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜?”

To which I reply, “I write materials for people in their voice. So basically, 𝘐 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”

Which is often followed by, “Well, why don’t people just write for themselves?”

And there are several reasons I can share in response to that:

👉🏼 They don’t like to write
👉🏼 They don’t have time to write
👉🏼 They’re not sure what to write about
👉🏼 They know it’s important to be present online but they have other pressing priorities

So essentially, they hire me to help them formulate content and mine stories and experiences that will reflect the following three buckets:

🪣 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 — showcasing areas of interest beyond just their job, so people following along actually get to know them.

🪣 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 — showcasing their experience and expertise, positioning them in the field/area they want to be recognized for.

🪣 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀/𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 — directing those reading to take action or reflect on whether they’re interested in utilizing the service offered.

Because having a digital presence is essential. And sometimes we need help getting started, determining our goals amd objectives, and keeping the ball rolling.

If you’re interested in building out your personal brand, or some assistance keeping it afloat, I offer my 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 as well as ghostwriting and social media maintenance services!

Check out my site for more: www.lyndseeloves.com

♥️

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Amanda Stern ✍️

Lyndsee Nielson

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The Battle

Amanda Stern ✍️

Lyndsee Nielson

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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);}Lyndsee Nielson's LinkedIn Performance

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