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 ✍️

Aspire Higher

At Aspire Higher, the focus is on helping you craft better careers. 
* I provide tailored guidance for getting you into elite colleges, graduate schools and business schools.
* I can help you in navigating your career journeys and tackle struggles you face as a leader
* I help you design a meaningful and fulfilling life using "Design Your Life" Methodology

Chief  Consultant 

CareerLabs

I head the Operations & Service Delivery, Service Design & New Product Development functions at CareerLabs, the go-to place for all your career needs!  We help college students and working professionals design their perfect careers. Whether you choose to pursue higher education or wish to tackle campus placements, CareerLabs has all the solutions for helping you prepare for a long career.

Co-founder

BYJU'S (Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd.)

Assistant Vice President

Started Admissions Consulting Services at BYJU’s in 2015 by developing services, marketing and operations 
Independently proved feasibility of services in 2016 and built a team of 15 for overseeing operations in 2017 
Achieved a growth rate of 10x in 2017 in revenues with a 5x increase in customers by optimizing sales and services 
Advised applicants for graduate schools & B-Schools with a success rate of 100% for 2017 application season

Consultant  & Founder - Admissions Consulting Services Division

MathWorks

Senior Training Engineer

University of Michigan Department of Mechanical Engineering

Simulation engineer in charge of the study of vehicle-structure interaction for the NIST Smart Bridge Project conducted to evaluate new methodologies for smart monitoring to ensure longer bridge life

Conducted a week-long advanced training course “Study of design and operation of HiL system for ESC” for participants from industry

Research Associate

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

Simulation engineer for the design and Implementation of Hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) Simulation System for Evaluation of Control Performance of Heavy Truck ESC

Implemented a driver model that simulates lane-keeping most efficiently with enhanced steering control using a combination of open-loop and closed-loop steering maneuvers

Graduate Student Research Assistant

Mechanical Simulation Corporation

Assessed the market needs for Mechanical Simulation’s suite of vehicle dynamics simulation software (like CarSim®, TruckSim®, etc.) in India and developed a suitable marketing strategy to help expand Mechanical Simulation’s customer base in India
Developed technical training packages for the software using Instruction Design Methodology and designed seminars and training sessions

Technical Applications and Marketing Consultant

TVS Motor Company Ltd.

In charge of design, analysis, development and testing of vehicle systems for 3-wheeler project that involved extensive simulation and analysis of alternative concepts, NPD implementation and use of various design tools

Member R&D, Advanced Engineering Group

I wear multiple hats-  a coach, a consultant and an executive!  

In my Admissions Consultant role,  I have helped many get into their dream universities  & programs, in varied domains ranging from every stream of engineering to the arts, humanities & social sciences as well. I love working with clients as they navigate through the complex maze of the application process. With proven expertise in content strategy and helping people make decisions through the highly complex Graduate and B-School application process, many of my clients have got into the top 10 programs in the world for their respective fields. The best part of my job is  the conversations I get to have with my clients and my talented team members. 

In my other role as an Executive and Leadership Coach, I work with the top C-Suite  for improving  leadership behavior and effecting a sustained change. My team-based coaching approach leads to highly motivated teams and benefits organizations immensely.

It is my life's mission to help millions achieve their dream careers. My journey has just begun!

***Please note, all opinions & write-ups posted here are mine and do not reflect any of my affiliations, professional or otherwise, unless explicitly stated!

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The Battle

Amanda Stern ✍️

Krithika Srinivasan

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