Amanda Ryan
Chief Trail Blazer & Founder
Amanda holds a B.S. in Social Policy from Northwestern University. Amanda spent 15 years in the corporate world before turning her full attention to raising a family and launching Blaze Kids Academy and Blaze School.
Amanda has had a life-long commitment to service in her community. Her previous nonprofit experience includes administration, program development, fundraising and grant writing efforts. Amanda’s Board experience has been centered on under-resourced youth, having previously served as both Board Member and Board Chair for Center for Independent Futures (Evanston, IL),Metropolitan Family Services Metro Board (Chicago, IL) and Boys & Girls Clubs of Malibu (Malibu, CA). Her hands-on volunteer experience with local nonprofits is extensive. Additionally, Amanda has led service learning initiatives in her children’s schools, partnering with local nonprofits to bring service learning to even the youngest of learners.
Knowing first-hand both the benefits and challenges of growing up in a small rural community, it has long been a dream of Amanda’s to launch Blaze Kids Academy and Blaze School. She is proud to serve as Blaze’s Chief Trail Blazer (a.k.a. Executive Director) bringing this dream to life!