Amanda has extensive experience with opioid addiction and its effects on families—an experience that drives her commitment to addressing this issue in the Lansing area. She earned her Master’s degree in Health and Risk Communication from Michigan State University and focuses her work on developing evidence-based communication strategies related to opioid use. With more than a decade of experience in the health care industry, Amanda combines academic expertise with personal insight.

She lost her mother to an unintentional prescription drug poisoning in October 2007 after witnessing her mother’s long struggle with addiction. This deeply personal experience helped Amanda understand how substance use can impact every member of a family in different ways. It shaped her dedication to helping others who are facing similar challenges.

Amanda shares her time with a variety of efforts in the Lansing area. She serves as President of the Lick Family Foundation, is a Board Member of the Firecracker Foundation, and participates in local substance use prevention efforts, including the Ingham Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.