Hi, I’m Amy!
My work centers on belonging, not as a concept, but as a strategic design principle. I help organizations and teams excel by designing human-centered systems and learning experiences that build a culture of psychological safety, dignity, and high-trust. I specialize in translating complex human needs—including those rooted in trauma or systemic inequity—into clear, equitable, and actionable organizational structures. The result? Elevated engagement, increased retention, and a culture where every employee is understood, capable, and connected.
I design learning that strengthens organizational culture by turning inclusion into everyday practice.
I design learning that turns evidence into action and creates pathways for success.
See how I developed practical training to help teachers apply evidence-based strategies, foster belonging and stability for vulnerable students, and build actionable, support-based systems that bridged communication and coordinated support across multiple campuses.
I design learning that drives business growth while fostering employee belonging and development.
See how I designed a reciprocal mentorship program that mitigated knowledge silos, strengthened cross-functional collaboration, and established a formalized system for long-term retention and shared growth.
I design learning that transforms conflict, tension, or misunderstanding into opportunities for connection.
See how I developed "The Generational Spectrum," a custom, hybrid learning architecture designed to mitigate systemic communication friction and build psychological safety across diverse age groups. This solution uses story-driven scenarios and asynchronous content as a foundation, coupled with flexible supervisor discussion menus, to strengthen team alignment, establish shared professional language, and activate belonging directly within team dynamics.
See how I fostered dialogue and belonging in a real-world DEI experience that utilized perception-shifting narratives to build psychological safety, enabling meaningful cross-identity conversation and team trust.
Curious about my approach to creating impactful learning experiences?
Visit the about me page to learn more.
Interested in seeing my work?
Take a look at my work to explore a selection of my instructional design projects. Each piece reflects my commitment to creating thoughtful, engaging, and learner-centered experiences. I focus on quality, creativity, and impact in every project, and I’m excited to share my approach with you.
Interested in working with me?
Have questions or want to discuss potential collaborations? Head over to the contact me page to start the conversation!
What People Are Saying
Wendy Verna, President and Founder, Octo Design Group
As a seasoned marketer entering the field of soft skills education for the first time, I knew I needed guidance from someone who not only understood the landscape, but genuinely cared about youth development. I met Amy Cowan during an online webinar, and from our very first exchange, I could tell she brought not just expertise, but heart.
Amy immediately jumped in, sharing research, breaking down unfamiliar terms, and offering clear, actionable next steps. She helped me connect the dots between my vision and the real-world needs of students and educators. Her generosity, strategic clarity, and ability to connect the big picture with practical steps made a huge difference.
If you’re looking for a partner who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely invested in making a difference, Amy is exactly who you want in your corner.
Lauren Kopsick, Founder and Executive Director of The Healthcare Navigation Project
I’ve worked as a small business consultant for over 20 years, in addition to leading a nonprofit—and I know firsthand that the sign of a great collaborator is someone who can balance expertise with adaptability. Amy Cowan does exactly that.
Since we began working together, Amy has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to our organization. She’s helping us expand and transition our volunteer onboarding deck from Canva to SharePoint, bringing clarity, structure, and a keen eye for usability. She listens carefully, works efficiently, and brings both polish and practicality to every step of the process.
Credentials and Badges
Master of Education in Secondary Education
Texas State University, 2012
Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design
Digital Learning Institute, 2024
The Systems & Tools Behind My Work
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Organizational Development & Culture Design
Belonging-Centered Systems Design
Human-Centered & Trauma-Informed Practices
Psychological Safety Frameworks
Equity-Centered Design
Change Readiness & Culture Transformation
Strategic Planning for Learning & Talent Development
Internal Communication Strategy
Policy & Process Design (clarity, agency, fairness)
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Perception Shifting & Perspective Reframing
Needs Analysis (human, systemic, operational)
Discovery & Insight Synthesis
Storytelling for Organizational Understanding
Trauma-Informed Communication Structures
Inclusive Decision-Making Frameworks
Conflict Reduction Through Systemic Alignment
Values-to-Behavior Mapping
Learning & Talent Ecosystem Design
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Adult Learning & Andragogy
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Accessibility & Inclusive Design
Scenario-Based Learning & Decision Simulations
Project-Based & Experience-Based Learning
Cognitive Load Reduction
Dual Coding & Multimodal Learning
Empathy Mapping & Journey Mapping
Policy & Workflow Redesign
Sensemaking & Complexity Reduction
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Ecosystem & Infrastructure
SharePoint (architecture, governance, hubs), Microsoft Teams (collaboration systems), Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 Suite
Workflow, Communication & Collaboration
Miro, Loom, Slack, Notion / Trello / Asana (workflow design)
Learning Experience & Training Development
Articulate Storyline, Rise 360, H5P / Lumi, Genially, Vyond, 360°/VR Tools (Skybox, Skydome)
Visual, Creative & Communication Tools
Canva, Adobe Express, Figma (light prototyping)
Automation, Integration & Data
Power Automate, Zapier
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Culture & Belonging Frameworks
DEI Strategy & Policy Review
Organizational Playbooks & Onboarding Systems
Manager Capability Building
Crisis-Informed and Trauma-Informed Structures
Employee Experience Mapping
Learning Ecosystem Design
Internal Enablement & Upskilling