Amanda spent more than 12 years working in the field of K-12 public education, and building the capacities of educators to improve educational outcomes. During a 10 year engagement with the Chicago Public Schools, Amanda served as a strategic planner and supported the district in creating more equitable access to high quality educational options. Amanda also played a leadership role in the establishment of the districts first Multi Tiered Systems of Support framework, which integrates social emotional learning as a core component in education. This work drove Amanda’s passion for social emotional learning and she spent a year with the Boston Public Schools directing an SEL initiative in which participating schools were allowed to select SEL programs of their choice. She has also served as a consultant with the Center for Restorative Justice, as a trainer of restorative justice circles.

In her current role as the Director of Partnerships at the Lionheart Foundation, Amanda leads the expansion of access across the country to Lionheart’s transformative social and emotional, trauma informed, programs.