👋 Hi, I’m Amelea!
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 love to build systems and experiences that foster collaboration, belonging, and lasting impact.
In the times between, I run a small family ceramics studio, Lovebug. Along with my daughter and mother, we make colorful, one of a kind, hand made and painted pieces. You can find us at art shows around town.
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
Common Notice | 2018 - Current Founder Social Impact Strategy, Research and Design |
Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park | 2025 - 2026 Interim Volunteer Program Director |
USAA | Design Enablement/Ops | 2020 - 2025 Design Education and Facilitation |
Steelcase 2018 - 2020 UX Research Lead | 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 |
American Youth Foundation | 1996 - 2002 Summer Program Manager / Staff |
Safe Haven Ministries | 1998 - 2001 Shelter Assistant and Youth Program Designer |
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 Operations | Arts and Culture |
Nonprofit Management | Design Education |
Enterprise Design | Small Business |
Experiential Education | Community Engagement |
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.