what I've studied

Master of Science: Sociology

Bachelor of Art: Sociology and Studio Art

Certificate in Design Thinking

Certificate in Political Leadership

ICF credentialed Executive Coach (ACC)

work I've done

President & CEO, DePaul Community Resources

Owner/Consultant, TwoChair Solutions

CSA Coordinator, City of Roanoke

Various public social work roles

how I have fun

writing - poems, essays, stories

trail running

cooking and baking

designing handmade greeting cards

reading - novels, essays, nonfiction, poetry

rearranging furniture...frequently.

MEET AMANDA, FOUNDER/CEO

Minor in art. Major in people.

Amanda Stanley helps organizations build and sustain thriving cultures. An artist at heart with twenty years experience ranging from front-line social work to the CEO chair, she works with companies and their leaders to design their todays and tomorrows with care.

She approaches her practice with a designer’s mindset, asking questions and uncovering insights in service to a better tomorrow. Helping her clients identify intrinsic values and strengths, she partners with them in judgement-free space to discover new possibilities. Amanda has a unique ability to see beyond today’s constraints to lead others beyond what is true and into what is possible.

Learn more about Amanda's education, work experience, and connections at her LinkedIn profile.

"Leadership is making something new, taking people somewhere they've never been - and no one's going to give you instructions."

Learn about Amanda's transition from CEO to self-employment and why we think art deserves a place in leadership development.

watch video

MEET KATE,
MANAGING CONSULTANT
FOR CULTURE AND STRATEGY

listen, learn, lead

Kate Means joins The Artisan Leader after working primarily in the nonprofit sector. Her roles - Chief of Staff, Interim CEO, and directors of programs and quality - have given her the chance to support and grow every part of a company: from client services to finance, technology, and human resources. The thread throughout all has been a focus on major strategic projects aimed at culture change.

Her formal education is in social work - she earned her MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. She sees significant overlap in the practice of social work and the work of culture and strategy: Uncovering core human need and ensuring sustainable support for the future are essential elements of workplace health - whether the focus is on customers, partners, or employees.

In addition to providing leadership development training, Kate's work focuses on facilitation of team retreats, strategic planning, and consulting projects for companies that are creating compassionate workplace cultures.

Kate is also a certified professional coach. You can learn more about her coaching style and availability here.

Learn more about Kate's education, work experience, and connections at her LinkedIn profile.

what I've studied

Master of Art: Social Service Administration (MSW equiv.)

Bachelor of Art: Anthropology and Music Performance

Certificate in Professional Coaching

work I've done

Chief Engagement Officer, DePaul Community Res.

Chief of Staff, DePaul Community Resources

Director of Foster Care, DePaul Community Res.

Director of Quality, DePaul Community Resources

CASA Supervisor, Piedmont CASA

Board Chair, Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley

various other social service roles

how I have fun

collecting and building Lego sets

crafting and coloring

reading - mainly cozy mysteries and nonfiction

listening to podcasts

keeping up with my three boys

what I've studied

Master of Social Science: Psychology

Bachelor of Social Science: Social Work

Certificate in Professional Coaching

Silwood Cordon Bleu Grande Diplome

work I've done

Adoption Manager, DePaul Community Res.

Various social service roles

Head Chef as Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Various cook positions

how I have fun

pottering in my garden

spending quality time with my dog

cooking...anything

walking on the trail

traveling, preferably where water is involved!

MEET ANDREA,
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL COACH

a supportive cheerleader on your side

With a background in human services leadership, Andrea brings a rare blend of compassion, deep curiosity, and genuine empathy to her work. Her coaching style is warm, open, and rooted in acceptance. She honors the uniqueness of each client, and brings both encouragement and insight as she gently nudges them toward meaningful growth.

Her formal education is in the social sciences, psychology, and...food! Early career experiences in hospitality and restaurants, including serving as head chef, gave her the opportunity to hone her creativity and reinforce her core value: to care for people well.

MEET ANGELA,

WORKFLOW SUPPORT COORDINATOR

building stories and teams that thrive

Angela McNeil creates experiences that matter—whether that’s launching a theatre company, growing online sales for luxury brands, or guiding corporate culture that achieves remarkable engagement and retention.

As President of a local nonprofit theatre, she led a volunteer board through a successful inaugural season while building the organization’s digital marketing and social presence from the ground up. The dramatic arts connect deeply to Angela’s core passion for storytelling, which she channels into both her marketing strategy and her approach to team development.

With a degree in business administration and more than 15 years of leadership experience across HR and creative industries, Angela brings both strategic insight and human warmth to her work. She proudly calls herself an employee advocate, believing that a thriving employee experience is the foundation of every successful organization.

what I've studied

Bachelor of Business Administration,

Human Resources Management

work I've done

President, Roanoke Bear Theater
HR & Culture Leadership Roles

in Corporate and Creative Settings
Marketing Strategy and Online Sales
Team and Volunteer Leadership

how I have fun

Creating live theatre

Attending live performances

Traveling

Hiking

Cake decorating

Playing with my pup

what I've studied

Educational Technology & Instructional Design
Bachelor of Science, Biology
Certificate in Biomedical Visualization and

Communication

work I've done

Freelance Creative & Learning Experience Designer, Wrayce Illustration
Educational Animation, Nautilus SciComm
Lab Research Technician, Virginia Tech
Various science communication roles

how I have fun

Illustrating
Storytelling through comics & animation
Journaling
Tabletop role-playing games
Hiking
Negotiating frisbee with my three dogs

MEET WRAYLYN,
WORKFLOW SUPPORT COORDINATOR

designed for curiosity; crafted with care

At the intersection of science, education, and design, Wraylyn Belcher creates learning experiences that spark curiosity and make complex ideas accessible. With a multidisciplinary lens that blends human-centered design and creative precision, she turns information into stories that invite discovery.

Drawing on her background in science communication and learning experience design, Wraylyn transforms technical content into engaging, purposeful materials. Her practice is rooted in empathy and evidence-based design—helping learners connect information in meaningful ways while ensuring every project is both organized and intentional.

Outside of work, Wraylyn finds inspiration in the natural world and in her narrative art practice, where curiosity becomes a bridge between creativity and understanding.