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 ✍️

Performance iN Lighting USA

• Successfully drive referrals and strategic plans to ensure product participation for contracts and facility market share.
• Assess and evaluate the business' success consistent with its strategic goals by practicing good judgment and in-depth business industry acumen; utilized problem-solving skills to correct any issues. 
• Offer hands-on leadership to supervise training and developing leaders, sales, and service coaching to improve customer satisfaction and maximize financial goals.
• Leverage strategic thinking abilities and project management experience to actively participate in the company's sales innovations, business development, and profitability.

Key Achievements:
• Utilized acumen in contributing a significant role in the month-over-month sales growth in excess of $50K and administrating quotes.
• Facilitated SAP Business One training, which increased productivity.

Inside Sales Specialist

L&S Light

• Galvanized customer relationships while soliciting referrals to increase business opportunities. 
• Proactively partnered with colleagues to negotiate and close sales, ensuring mutually beneficial customer offerings. 
• Extended support in the training and new hire acclimation to magnify company vision and optimize processes.  
• Heightened client awareness and enhanced credibility through open consultations and frequent communications. 
• Evaluated sales KPIs, distinguished opportunities for improvement, and address deficiencies to maximize profitability.

Key Achievement:
• Expanded the company's new clientele by 20% ($2.1M) over a year and managed revenue records.

Inside Sales Manager

Northside Hospital

• Recognized by the organization for the outstanding contribution to streamlining the medical insurance processes
• Collaborated with managed care companies in obtaining authorization and verification of eligibility and coverage.
• Entered the client's demographics, insurance, and billing information into the database adhering to established procedures.
• Constantly updated the insurance information and the patient demographics of patients into the company system.
• Possessed strong communication skills in establishing relationships with the physician team and insurance companies to decipher authorization and referral requirements and complete the insurance verification process.

Key Achievement:
• Achieved and maintained a 100% patient insurance verification rate monthly by monitoring trends, reporting grievances, and offering action for solutions to various difficulties.
• Trained new and transitioned employees on policies and procedures, ensuring employees performed to the highest standards.

Insurance Specialist

Acuity Brands

• Streamlined communication with the management team and customers, exhibiting impeccable phone etiquette in processing returns or credits daily while cascading viable solutions to ensure exceptional customer service delivery.
• Identified room for improvements and facilitated meetings to ensure efficiency and compliance with established key performance indicators. 
• Secured the highest standards of customer support and satisfaction by conducting troubleshooting and diagnosis for indoor and outdoor luminaries reinforcing business objectives and growth. 
• Coached and mentored a team of support consultants to problem-solve escalated customer issues, reducing the risk of customer complaints to regulatory agencies. 
• Optimized competitive advantage and customer retention with prompt and efficient follow-through on all critical inter-departmental escalations while maintaining compliance with standard operating procedures.

Key Achievements:
• Lowered customer phone hold time by an average of 3 minutes and overall email and chat response time by 10 minutes within the first 90 days. 
• Supported the sales team, resulting in a 27% increase in sales in one year, exceeding the sales quota.

Senior Technical Support Specialist/ Team Lead

Chemtura Corporation/ Biolab Inc

• Supported and communicated with internal and external customers, while providing assistance with order placement.
• Provided all aspects of account management, which included follow-up, tracking and resolution.
• Participated in the onboarding process by ensuring Company and tax documents were completed correctly.
• Assisted carriers with requests regarding logistics and tracking order shipments by utilizing the internet and communicating with warehouse personnel.
•  Ensured customers received proper credit by notating damaged, defective, or customer-returned products.

Key Achievements: 
• Provided  troubleshooting assistance and provided instruction on product use to improve overall quality and customer satisfaction.  
• Ensured all forms of customer correspondence are resolved in a manner appropriate for the customer

Customer Care Representative/ Administrative Assistant

Avaya

• Supported both internal and external customers by resolving billing issues, entered service/equipment orders, and served as the main point of contact for escalation resolution.
• Successfully managed over 100 high-tier business accounts receivables portfolios and interfaced directly with customers to arrange for the collection of outstanding debts.
• Created maintenance service agreements tailored to fit the needs of the company and the client.
• Served as a customer care lead and trained associates on various processes.
- Served as a collections rep for past due accounts, reducing outstanding balances by approximately $35-$50K month over month.

Key Acheivements: 
• Managed several special projects and maintained portfolios, reducing unidentified credits by over $1 million.
• Named as the Subject Matter Expert for the transition from Expanets, LLC to Avaya, Inc.

Customer Care Specialist/ Account Manager

Prudential Healthcare

• Analyzed and managed healthcare claims by complying to company standards best practices
• Negotiated settlement of claims up to designated authority level and made claims payments
• Calculated and paid benefits due, approved claim payments and settled claims within the designated authority level.

Key Achievements: 
• Reported claims to the excess carrier and responded to requests of directions in a professional and timely manner.
• Frequently communicated with all appropriate parties involved with the claim until a resolution was found.

Senior Claims Specialist

High Impact and Results Driven Inside Sales Specialist, DEI Advocate, Aspiring HR professional transitioning into Hiring, Recruitment, and DEIB

With a solid foundation in strategic sales and customer relationship management, my role as an Inside Sales Specialist at Performance iN Lighting USA centers around driving product participation and expanding market share. My approach combines in-depth industry acumen with strategic planning, directly contributing to our business development and profitability goals.

Leadership and coaching are integral, thus ensuring team members are well-equipped to increase customer satisfaction and financial objectives. My tenure is marked by a commitment to sales innovation, fostering growth and service excellence within the lighting sector.

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The Battle

Amanda Stern ✍️

Tamara Thomas

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