We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amanda Flisher. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Amanda, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recently I had this really incredible full-circle moment that made me laugh and feel really proud at the same time. Last month, I was delivering a training for LEAD San Diego’s newest cohort in the UCSD Extended Studies building, overlooking the UCSD campus. As I spoke about the importance of leading from your strengths and showing up authentically, it struck me to tell them how I graduated from UCSD 20 years earlier.
Back in 2005, I left unsure if teaching was really my path. I had earned my B.A. in Human Development and ended up graduating a quarter early because I was not sure the teaching credential route was for me anymore. Yet as I shared my story with the class, I realized teaching had always been part of the plan and that it just unfolded differently than I expected.
It turned into a perfect, live example for this cohort of leaders on how following your strengths and dreams can bring you exactly where you’re meant to be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a leadership coach, I help leaders step into their full potential with clarity, courage, and a lot of heart. I started my business, Amanda Flisher Coaching, about 11 years ago, and since then I’ve had the opportunity to coach, consult, mentor, speak on stages, and lead workshops. I work with executives, teams, and high-achieving leaders to uncover their strengths, build authentic leadership presence, and make a meaningful impact.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of working across corporate, nonprofit, government, military, and academic sectors. I bring a mix of real-world experience, evidence-based tools, and a deep love of helping people discover what makes them unique. My goal is always the same: to help leaders lead from who they truly are, not who they think they should be.
I’m also a mom of three school-aged kids, married to a wonderful high school math teacher, and deeply committed to serving my community. I’m currently serving as the Board Chair of the Children’s Museum of Discovery in Escondido, where we just underwent a new name change and celebrated our 25th Anniversary! I also just kicked off my second year as the Co-Chair to the San Diego East County Chamber’s Leadership Program.
When I’m not coaching or facilitating workshops, you’ll find me exploring San Diego, traveling with my family, or creating programs that connect and empower women leaders. I believe that when you follow your strengths and pursue your passions, you can create a life and career of real impact and I absolutely love helping others do just that.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
One of the earliest memories I have of feeling powerful was when I finally found volleyball. It felt like I finally knew what I was meant to play and focus on. I tried out for the middle school team in 6th grade and never stopped playing. I went on to play all the way through college and earned many awards along the way. I was lucky to have played with one of the top volleyball clubs in the nation and was even coached by Olympic medalists in college. I was the co-captain both in high school and college, along with earning Female Scholar Athlete of the Year my Freshman and Sophomore years in college. Whenever I get the chance, I love that I can still head to the beach and play after all these years. Volleyball certainly helped me to find my confidence on and off the court.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
This might not be a secret to those closest to me but something I miss sometimes is working in an office surrounded by amazing people. In my old corporate role, I had the privilege of collaborating with colleagues who are still like friends and family to me today. I loved being part of a team and creating new things together, bouncing ideas off one another, and sharing those everyday moments. I love my career today, but there are certainly days when I wish I could just walk over to a colleague’s office to brainstorm, share ideas, or even catch up on the latest binge-worthy show or podcast.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would absolutely say that my children and husband matter most to me. They all know my story of leaving corporate when my son was seven months old to pursue a career that would allow me to focus on my growing family and my love of developing leaders. To this day, I always make time to be a volunteer in my children’s classrooms, be able to take them to sports, and travel as much as we can with them (while they still think we are cool). My husband and I are a great team and we feel really lucky that we are able to build this life together.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
That’s a great question. Something that I understand deeply, that maybe people know but don’t always remember is that everyone wants to matter. People want to be seen for who they are and to be part of something bigger than themselves, such as a community, a team, a family, a friend group, something meaningful to them. Everyone wants to contribute to the world in some way, even when they struggle to show it. Often, those who aren’t contributing feel a deep sense that maybe they don’t matter and wonder what’s the point. Mattering means that people feel seen, heard, valued, connected and are also contributing to something beyond themselves. There are so many studies that show that when we choose to help others, donate to others, volunteer, be in community with others, utilize our gifts authentically, people really do change for the good. I’ve witnessed firsthand, people transform their lives when they finally find the right place, the right people, and the right sense of belonging. What I deeply know and believe is that people are meant to belong to each other, to lift each other up, to be in community with each other and contribute in their own unique way and when they do, they feel that they matter a whole lot.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amandaflisher.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaflisher/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaflisher/
Image Credits
Megan Ann Photography
LEAD San Diego
Children’s Museum of Discovery
San Diego East County Chamber
