Amy's expertise is in positive youth development and youth mental health systems building. She is most passionate about engaging youth and community in research and evaluation to design and improve the programs and practices that are intended to serve them. As a community psychologist, she emphasizes the identities, relationships, and environments that foster youth and communities to reach their fullest potential. With her interdisciplinary background, she makes connections across systems and streamlines processes in order to realize and sustain shared goals. Amy is a founding member of the Civic Consulting Collaborative and Launch Network's Board. She also is a Civic Canopy Associate. She also consulted on the development of The Biggies, conversation cards that create connection and build resilience in elementary-aged children. She earned her doctorate in Child, Family, & School Psychology in 2006 and her masters in Early Childhood/Special Education in 2003 from The University of Denver. Amy is a white, cisgender, heterosexual, able-bodied woman born in Arizona and raised in Texas as a third generation European Jew. Amy's childhood included toxic divorces and emotional abuse, which contributed to her attempting suicide in middle school. Amy recognizes the privilege in having had the resources and the cultural norms to access therapy at that time, which is what drives her to create psychological healthy and supportive environments for all young people.