Amy Moritz Bio

I am an experienced facilitator of social change initiatives. Over the last two decades, I have acquired a diverse toolkit with which to guide you and your team as you implement your vision for social change.

I have facilitated change efforts with neighborhood-based groups; rural communities; public libraries; nonprofit start-ups; seminaries; churches; and systems working across multiple stakeholders.

The methods I use are people-centered and include:

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)
Appreciative Inquiry
Theory U
Design Thinking
Participatory Research and Action
Social Networking
Liberating Structures
Developmental Evaluation

All these approaches value the wisdom and experience of the people closest to the opportunity for change and puts them at the center.

Education

I am a lifelong learner. I believe our wisdom and knowledge accumulates through both our lived experience as well as our formal education. I am grateful to have had teachers, formal and informal, who have inspired and shaped me. In many ways, I value the informal the most, but here is a list of my formal credentials:

Master of Arts in Religion: Memphis Theological Seminary
Master of Business Administration: Rochester Institute of Technology
BS Engineering Technology: University of Memphis

Personal

I am married with two young adult children, a son-in-law, and one golden retriever, Pepper. We all love spending time together whenever we can whether it is a weekend away, a homecooked meal together, or a family game night (virtually since we do not all live in the same city). I currently reside back in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee and attend Trinity United Methodist Church where I lead, with others, our outreach including immigration advocacy.

Employment

I am the founding Executive Director for two faith-inspired nonprofit organizations:

Uptown Alliance Community Economic Development Corporation (2001-2004)
Center for Transforming Communities (2008-2018)

At Center for Transforming Communities (CTC), I was both practitioner and coach in authentic community engagement that leads to healthy and more vibrant neighborhoods. During this time, I trained and coached eight neighborhood coalitions in Memphis, TN and over 40 congregations.

My first career was with IBM where I worked in marketing, sales and technical support.

Interspersed, I have always found myself drawn to consult with purpose-driven organizations from libraries to churches to social service agencies. Today, I continue to consult with purpose-driven organizations, especially those committed to including people most impacted in creating the change they seek.

Collaborators

Annie Allen, an ordained minister, is a consultant to churches and social profit organizations. Annie specializes in community development initiatives, teaching, training, group facilitation, and retreats.

Christy M.P. Gilmour is a strategist with a passion for developing sustainability for the non-profit community, with a focus on authentic communications/messaging, impactful business/strategic planning, and effective fund development.

www.cgilmourconsulting.com

Amy is a founding member of the Network for Social Transformation, a network of experienced consultants who strengthen communities through approaches that are asset-based, constituent-driven and that build social connections.