Amy Lynne Sawyer
I help leaders and groups act strategically, collaborate, and get results
Summary
I have over 15 years of expertise in helping leaders and communities in the public and private sectors solve complex problems. I support them in making effective decisions so they can take action that yields results. I am:
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Highly practiced in methods to develop and land large-scale initiatives
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Skilled in gathering intelligence and using research to inform decisions
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Well-versed in how to guide leaders and groups working on critical projects
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Skilled in communicating with diverse stakeholders
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Effective in strategic planning and organizational design
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Excellent at building coalitions, supporting teams, and managing processes
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A leader who thrives in ambiguous, fast paced, high-stakes environments
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Experienced in finding tech solutions in government settings
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Proficient in Google Workspace, Slack, and Zoom.
Experience
Redesign Collaborative
Current
Co-Creator
I provide coaching, consulting, and technical assistance to leaders in the homeless field and public sector field so that they can achieve their goals and make a measurable impact. This includes onboarding people in the social sector to use tools to improve their work including things like ChatGPT, Smartsheet, Lucid/Mural/Miro, Slac, Google Suite & Microsoft Teams
San Francisco Mayor's Office
2020 – 2023
Policy Advisor
As an advisor to Mayor London Breed, I drove the mayor’s vision to end homelessness and address street conditions. I aligned directors of City agencies and their staff to meet time-sensitive, critical goals set by the Mayor. I built strong relationships with community partners, funders, researchers, and legislators. During my time as a policy advisor, the City reduced homelessness by 3.5% overall and decreased unsheltered homelessness by 15%. I was responsible for balancing the competing interests of non-profits, city departments, elected officials, and community leaders in our efforts to end homelessness. I partnered with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to track and measure impact in order to responsibly leverage $1 Billion in public and private funds. To provide real-time insights to the Mayor and her team, I synthesized multiple streams of information and produced briefings summarizing vital information and decision points. While centered in San Francisco, this work required building and sustaining effective partnerships with federal, state, and local leaders.
While in the role, I supported the launch of the Mayor's Office of Innovation, focused on blending technology and government, and spearheaded initiatives to adopt effective technology and aligned data and reporting practices to allow the city to support unsheltered people.
North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness
2019 – 2020
Project Specialist
Working remotely, I drove a plan to adopt new technology and develop a process to implement the state-wide point in time count, a census of people experiencing homelessness. I also supported a number of projects designed to innovate and stimulate impact, including: landlord engagement, racial equity evaluation, and data-based program design.
Consultant
2017 – 2019
I had an opportunity to live abroad between 2017 and 2019. While living in Sweden, I gained fluency in the Swedish language and studied strategies from housing experts and human rights advocates in Scandinavia and Europe, while continuing to support agencies in the United States working to end homelessness.
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
2011 – 2016
Regional Coordinator
I traveled throughout the United States to stimulate local and state activities to end homelessness. I represented the Obama Administration through the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, which has 19 of the 22 US federal agencies on its board and reports directly to the president. During my tenure, I helped frame and implement a plan that decreased Veteran homelessness by 30% nationally. My work included facilitating communication between political leaders, federal authorities, and local partners to develop effective policy and efficient implementation. I fostered partnerships, advanced strategic goals, organized critical conversations, supported collective action groups, and facilitated community visits for high-level government officials so they could engage in catalytic meetings with stakeholders.
City of Asheville
2006 – 2011
Director, Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Initiative
I directed the City and County’s work to reduce the number of homeless people. I had managerial responsibility for staff, budget, and the strategic plan to end homelessness. Our work resulted in a 75% decrease in homelessness for people experiencing chronic homelessness. I developed policy, collected and analyzed data, coached decision makers, and oversaw special projects. To facilitate implementation of the plan, I created a structure that coordinated over 30 nonprofit organizations as well as advocates, faith groups, and businesses while designing and supporting internal City and County infrastructure needed to meet our goals.
Additional Experience
Between 2001 and 2002, I designed mentoring and afterschool programs to help students achieve their academic goals as a School Liaison for AmericCorps VISTA in Dover, DE. As a Research Assistant for the Center for Disability Studies in Newark, DE from 2004 to 2002, I staffed an interagency council responsible for implementing a state-wide plan to move people from institutions to their own homes. From 2004 to 2006, I worked with young adults as a social worker for Child Welfare of Newark, DE, helping families navigate multiple social systems to achieve stability, documenting progress, and testifying in court.
Education
University of Delaware
Masters of Science
Human Development
2002 – 2004
University of Maine
Bachelors/LSW
Social Work
1995 – 2000