Special Topics: The Positive Psychology Revolution for Educators and Nonprofits

The nonprofit and education world have unique challenges that have been well-studied in the field of positive psychology. Amy–named a Point of Light by two US Presidents for cracking the code on how to create positive change–combines her nonprofit experience as an Executive Director with her cutting-edge research at corporations like Google to illuminate the science of happiness in an applied, interactive and entertaining way. Learn how to minimize the effects of burnout by rethinking stress, how to innoculate the brain against negativity and setback, and how to create a renewable source of positive energy that maximizes your impact and tips the brains of people in your community or school towards the belief that our behavior matters.

Fearless Positivity for Women: How to Start and Sustain Positive Leadership

For women who balance multiple priorities, pursuing happiness can seem like a luxury they cannot afford. We think that if we can find success, then happiness will come; but instead, the goalpost for success gets pushed over the cognitive horizon and happiness remains elusive. Research from the field of positive psychology definitively shows how a positive engaged brain is the greatest advantage in the modern economy. So, the question is not how to make changes in our lives, but how we can not make changes when we know the benefits for our personal and professional lives. In this humorous, interactive talk, Amy highlights the three pillars of positive change by drawing on her experiences in the workplace and at home to help empower women leaders to reach beyond their fear to find their potential and sustain change in their lives.

Strategic Happiness: Rethinking Stress and Sustaining Positive Change

Happiness is the greatest competitive advantage in the modern economy, yet so often it is seen as a luxury at work. However, a decade of research shows that training your brain to be positive at work actually fuels greater success. In fact, 75% of our job success is predicted not by intelligence, but by your optimism, social support network and the ability to manage energy and stress in a positive way. It is time to get strategic about how we can raise happiness levels at our organizations to empower teams to reach their full potential.

Amy draws on her unique business experience as the Chief Operating Officer of GoodThink to empower teams that happiness is a choice, happiness is a habit, and happiness spreads. She explains what positive psychology is, how much we can change, and gives practical strategies for reaping the Happiness Advantage in the midst of change and challenge.