👋 Hi, I’m Amelea!
I’m a dynamic program leader, strategist, community builder and Inclusive Design advocate with a passion for co-creation, social innovation, and design research that drives meaningful change.
Whether leading teams, scaling initiatives, or designing research-driven programs, I build systems, structures, and experiences that foster collaboration, belonging, and lasting impact.
My Approach
With a background in social work, small business, nonprofit management, and Design Research & Operations, I bring 20+ years of experience in identifying gaps, mapping assets, addressing complex problems, and driving both strategy and execution.
I thrive in both big-picture thinking and hands-on implementation, seamlessly moving between high-level visioning and in-the-weeds problem-solving.
Here’s my career condensed to a few bullet points.
My work experience
USAA | Design Enablement/Ops | 2020 - Current - Design Education and Facilitation |
Common Notice | 2018 - Current - Founder Social Impact Strategy, Research and Design |
Steelcase | 2018 - 2020 UX Research Lead |
OpenIDEO | 2018 Design Researcher, Ford Cities of Tomorrow Challenge |
ArtPrize | 2009 - 2018 Managing Director + Director of Community Engagement |
Four Friends Coffee Shop | 2001 - 2008 Partner / Manager |
My education
UPenn | Executive Certificate in Social Impact Strategy | 2020 |
Kendall College of Art and Design | Certification in Human-Centered Design | 2017 |
Calvin University | Bachelors in Social Work | 2001 |
Industries I worked in
Design & UX Research | Arts and Culture |
Nonprofit Management | Design Education |
Enterprise Design | Small Business |
My skills
Design Research & Strategy | Facilitation & Collaboration |
Program & Operations Management | Strategic Leadership & Execution |
Human-Centered & Inclusive Design | Problem-Solving & Systems Thinking |
Outside of work, I’m a mom to one sweet daughter and three charming step-sons. I live on a small lake in the Midwest, where I love spending time with our pups and friends alike, listening to good music and sharing snacks for dinner. You can nearly always find me flipping through design magazines with a good cup of coffee.
My family!
Our puppies.
Where I always am.