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 ✍️

Katie 🌱 McManus

Scaling Squirrels Fractional Advisory Board

We’re not going to hand you a one-size-fits-all strategy — that’s not our style.

While our process is simple and straight forward, our strategies are customized and tailored to every client.

We begin with an audit of what you’ve built. We then design a bespoke strategy tailored specifically for your business to flourish and grow.

It’s time to work smarter not harder, and we, at Scaling Squirrels, are here to help.

Co-Founder

Weeniecast (Business Strategy For Weenie ADHDpreneurs)

Podcast Host

Katie McManus Coaching

ADHD Business Strategist & Money Mindset Coach. I help Coaches and Consultants start their businesses with custom, ADHD friendly, heart-centered strategies and training.

I help absolute beginners get their first 5 high paying clients, by:
➡️ Training them how to sell their services
➡️ Create a custom marketing plan, that fits their personality
➡️ Design high ticket offers that their clients are hungry for
➡️ Help them manage their time, resources, and energy... especially when they have ADHD.

I do all this through the Build Your Own Business Group Program... 
Check it out here ➡️ https://buildyobusiness.com/

And I help established business owners 4X their existing 6-figure businesses, by:
➡️ Developing programs that maximize money for time
➡️ Creating an outsourcing strategy to free up time
➡️ Identify your next level zone of genius- so you'll never get bored
➡️ Get out of overwhelm- so you can focus on what you do best.

If you want to learn more, then book a Generate Income Strategy Call with me...
Click here to find a time ➡️ https://bookkatiemcmanus.as.me/Strategycall

Founder | ADHD Business Strategist | Money Mindset Coach

OpenDNS - now a part of Cisco

Business Development Representative – Cisco Umbrella

Atelier Yarns

Knitting Instructor  

Tesla

Outside Sales Consultant - SolarCity

Equinox

Membership Sales Advisor – Union Street

VARIOUS RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ESTABLISHMENTS

Sommelier

Coaches, Consultants, Lawyers, Copywriters, Online Marketers, and Brave ADHD Service Providers, work with me to STOP Being a Weenie 🌭 and to finally start and scale their business! 


My most successful clients start off:


🤯Completely Overwhelmed- they aren't sure where they should even start... 

👵🏻 Feeling SUPER behind in everything!

🧐Knowing the work they love to do, but aren't sure how to build a successful business out of it

😱Have no idea how to set their pricing so that they can make enough money doing this work full time

🤢Also, selling? Ew, they really hate the idea of that

🥸And the idea of marketing their services, and themselves, feels bragadocious, and cocky AF.

🥵Are worried that they'll start a business that will end up taking over their life and cause constant burnout

😭Afraid that they've sunk all this time, energy, and money into this new career and it'll never work out...

😵‍💫Also, How the heck do they create original content all the time?

What they really want is Freedom, a balanced life, to make a difference in the world, and to do the work they love doing. 

💰 And make lots of money doing it (even if they don't want to admit this bit). 💰



What they need is confidence and an action plan.



My process is simple:

FIRST: 💎 You will get CRYSTAL clear on what it is that you want, for your business, and your life. Any goal can be reverse engineered into action steps.

NEXT: 📝 Based on your goals, we create a Custom Strategy, and Action Plan, that fits your work style, personality, and the life you want. {No point in building a business you'll later want to escape from}

FINALLY: 💰You will start working on your business, prioritizing getting high paying clients, and I'll be there to hold you accountable, empowering you to get over those doubts you have about yourself, and keeping your eye on the prize.



My clients walk away knowing how to run their businesses sustainably, and have their plan for growth plotted out for them. In alignment with their ideal lifestyle.


I offer:
Brave Biz Owner One-One Coaching and Strategy.   

BYOB {Build Your Own Business} Group Program.

  


ALSO- Join my Free Group coaching call- Brave Biz Labs- hosted every 4th Friday of the month: https://bookkatiemcmanus.as.me/bravebizlab
{where we talk about your biggest challenges with mindset, money, and business}

And Listen to my AH-Mazing Podcast "Business Strategy for WEENIE ADHD-Preneurs" by going to www.weeniecast.com.

taplio

The Battle

Amanda Stern ✍️

Katie 🌭 McManus

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