Meet Amy Meredith

We recently connected with Amy Meredith and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.

Nine years ago, I was let go from a role I had outgrown. I was no longer fulfilled by the work, felt disconnected from my sense of purpose, and found myself consistently being the last parent to pick up my children at the end of the day. I knew I wanted more—for myself, for my children, and for my family—so I communicated that I needed to reduce my hours. A few months later, my position was contracted out.

While I should have anticipated that outcome, it came as a complete shock. The transition was terrifying. Our household income was cut in half, and I felt scared, uncertain, and untethered. Yet that moment became a turning point.

Within two months, I began the journey of creating the region’s first day shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness, Uniting Partners (UP) for Women and Children. It filled a critical gap in services and brought together my background in psychology and justice administration with my strengths in business development, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. What began as a painful loss became a full-circle moment—one that led me into deeply aligned work with purpose, impact, and long-term meaning.

That said, the transition was not instant. It took at least five years to begin moving through imposter syndrome and truly believe I belonged in this space. What carried me forward was not certainty, but dedication: showing up consistently, putting one foot in front of the other, and doing the work even when confidence lagged behind commitment.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

As a nonprofit founder, I’m currently in the midst of a thoughtful transition out of my executive role. My successor has been hired, creating space for me to step into my next chapter with intention. After nearly nine years of launching, scaling, and sustaining a grassroots nonprofit, I feel a strong sense of professional and personal evolution.

This year, I also released my debut memoir, Where the Light Breaks Through, a leadership and motherhood memoir that reflects on resilience, loss, and growth. While my role is changing, my commitment to empowering women continues—just at a different scale.

In 2025, I launched Amy Meredith Ventures, where I consult with nonprofit and corporate leaders navigating transition and growth, and where I engage in keynote speaking focused on integrity-centered leadership and storytelling. Stepping back from my founding role has allowed me to advocate from a broader lens—supporting women and elevating women’s voices across organizations and communities. This season feels aligned, expansive, and extremely meaningful.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Gratitude has grounded me through every season. Appreciating what we have—and intentionally thanking the people who help lift us along the way—creates resilience and perspective. Keeping a WINS book to track accomplishments and meaningful moments has been a game-changer for me, especially on harder days when reflection matters most.

Persistence has mattered more than talent or timing. Building meaningful work requires staying in motion even when progress feels slow or uncertain. There were many moments when the path wasn’t clear, but I kept putting one foot in front of the other and doing the next right thing. Consistency is key, like with so many things in life.

Courage has shown up as a willingness to act before feeling ready. Much of my journey has involved climbing the staircase while building it at the same time. We are rarely fully prepared, and waiting for certainty can keep us stuck. Courage is choosing to keep going anyway.

For those early in their journey, my advice is this: don’t wait to feel confident before you begin. Confidence grows through action. Stay grateful, stay persistent, and trust that clarity often appears in the act of taking the next step—it tends to reveal itself not in planning, but in doing.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always open to thoughtful collaboration with people and organizations that lead with integrity and a genuine commitment to impact. I’m especially interested in working alongside nonprofit and corporate leaders, women-led organizations, and teams navigating moments of transition, growth, or reimagining what’s possible.

The partnerships that matter most to me are grounded in shared values, clear communication, and a respect for both people and results. That same approach guides my consulting and keynote speaking work, where I’m often invited into conversations around leadership, resilience, storytelling, and building sustainable, people-centered systems.

For those who feel aligned, the best way to connect is through my website or LinkedIn, where I share more about my work, speaking engagements, and collaboration opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: AmyMeredith.co and uplouisville.org
• Instagram: @amymeredithauthor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-meredith-author/
• Other: Substack – https://substack.com/@amymmeredith?r=1xyala&utm_medium=iosBookshop.org – https://bookshop.org/p/books/where-the-light-breaks-through-a-leader-s-story-of-love-loss-learning-and-a-fierce-return-to-the-light/fd949b560988f968?ean=9798998717154&next=t

  https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/c/get-to-know-our-2025-most-admired-ceos/40557/most-admired-ceos-amy-meredith.html

Image Credits

Crystal Ludwick Photography
Chris Jenner Photography