Amanda Rich, Ph.D., MA

Amanda Rich, Ph.D., is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Open Road Inclusive Community Consulting, LLC. Through Open Road, Amanda partners with nonprofit organizations, disability service providers, educational institutions, and public agencies to strengthen programs, support workforce wellbeing, and advance inclusive communities. Her work focuses on program evaluation, research, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, leadership development, and training on topics including trauma-informed care, workforce resilience & wellbeing, disability inclusion, nervous system-wise organizations, value-based leadership, and organizational change.

For more than fifteen years, Amanda has worked across higher education, nonprofit organizations, and human services systems. She has led evaluations and research initiatives for local, state, and national organizations and has designed and facilitated training and technical assistance for leaders, managers, direct support professionals, educators, advocates, and family members. Amanda is particularly passionate about helping organizations use data, lived experience, and collaborative learning to improve services and create dignity-affirming spaces where both staff and community members can thrive.

In addition to her consulting work, Amanda serves as faculty for the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in human development, prevention science, program evaluation, leadership, family studies, and human services. She is the author of multiple publications related to disability services, trauma-informed systems, leadership development, and community inclusion. Amanda received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Disability Studies from the University of Delaware, a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Delaware. (Contact Amanda at openroadicc@gmail.com)