Hello, I’m Amanda Suutari—a multi-disciplinary creator and community builder. I design, illustrate, and write to help people tell stories, share knowledge, and foster collaboration across cultures and communities. I run Milkweed Creative and Milkweed Training & Consulting, and I love turning ideas into tangible tools and experiences that empower positive change. I draw on a long track record in education, media, research, and social impact work, from teaching in Kyoto to supporting housing initiatives in Vancouver, to guiding community development projects in Peru. I believe in accessible language, thoughtful storytelling, and hands-on learning that helps teams connect, learn, and lead with compassion.…

Amanda Suutari

Hello, I’m Amanda Suutari—a multi-disciplinary creator and community builder. I design, illustrate, and write to help people tell stories, share knowledge, and foster collaboration across cultures and communities. I run Milkweed Creative and Milkweed Training & Consulting, and I love turning ideas into tangible tools and experiences that empower positive change. I draw on a long track record in education, media, research, and social impact work, from teaching in Kyoto to supporting housing initiatives in Vancouver, to guiding community development projects in Peru. I believe in accessible language, thoughtful storytelling, and hands-on learning that helps teams connect, learn, and lead with compassion.…

Available to hire

Hello, I’m Amanda Suutari—a multi-disciplinary creator and community builder. I design, illustrate, and write to help people tell stories, share knowledge, and foster collaboration across cultures and communities. I run Milkweed Creative and Milkweed Training & Consulting, and I love turning ideas into tangible tools and experiences that empower positive change.

I draw on a long track record in education, media, research, and social impact work, from teaching in Kyoto to supporting housing initiatives in Vancouver, to guiding community development projects in Peru. I believe in accessible language, thoughtful storytelling, and hands-on learning that helps teams connect, learn, and lead with compassion.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
French
Intermediate
Japanese
Intermediate
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Finnish
Beginner

Work Experience

Content Developer and Editor at Ten Directions
January 1, 2025 - September 15, 2025
Facilitating production of marketing and educational content for a cutting-edge conscious leadership training organization, resting at the intersection of adult development, Zen mindfulness and facilitation skills development.
Founder & Event Host at Vancouver Integral Leadership Network
January 1, 2020 - September 15, 2025
Initiating and hosting events oriented around the intersection of human development, transformative learning and leadership.
Founder & Event Host at Vancouver Integral Leadership Network
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2020
Founded and hosted events focused on the intersection of human development, transformative learning and leadership.
Volunteer at Burnaby Hospice Society
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2021
Hospice palliative volunteer; completed a 30-hour training and mentorship; provided visits and meetings with hospice clients and families facing end-of-life emotional and practical support.
On-site Tenant Support at Community Builders Network
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2016
On-site tenant support at a supportive housing facility in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside; ensured a safe, clean and supportive environment; provided relational support, referrals, tracked tenant needs and well-being, and provided administrative support.
Booking Manager at Alianza Arkana
January 1, 2013 - September 15, 2025
Responsible for all bookings and inquiries at a busy healing retreat center. Included updating external communications materials, managing bookings and payments, and CRM. Supporting the growth of systems and operations through the transition from startup to well-established organization (including a booking system migration) hosting multiple retreats and programs as well as initiating community development, advocacy and permaculture programs.
Initiator & Leader at Rural Women's Craft Collective
January 1, 2012 - Present
Initiated upcycling waste plastic bags into handicrafts for micro-enterprises among rural women in the Peruvian Amazon; expanded to workshops and training among indigenous communities; facilitated mentorship among artisans.
Founder at Rural Women's Craft Collective
January 1, 2012 - Present
Initiated a small-scale project to upcycle waste plastic bags into handicrafts for micro-enterprise among rural women in the Peruvian Amazon; expansion of the project to workshops and training among indigenous women in other parts of the region; mentorship among artisans and expansion of community partnerships.
Booking Manager at Alianza Arkana
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2013
Responsible for all bookings and inquiries at a busy healing retreat center; updated external communications materials; managed bookings and payments; CRM management.
Project Coordinator at School Gardens Project
January 1, 2009 - September 15, 2025
Hosting workshops on growing food, sustainability and health to secondary schools; hosted network events to bring together needs and resources to support edible food gardens on school grounds.
Customer Service and Enrolment at Erickson College
January 1, 2009 - September 15, 2025
Custom er service, and sales/enrolment of coach training programs, and administrative support.
School Year Gardens Project Coordinator at Metro Vancouver
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009
Hosted workshops on growing food, sustainability and health for secondary schools; organized networking events to bring resources together to support edible school gardens.
Administrative & Enrollment at Erickson College
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2009
Delivered high-quality customer support and sales/enrollment of coach training programs; administrative support using CRM platforms and various other tools.
Researcher/Journalist at EcoTipping Points (project lead by Environmental Economics Professor Gerald Marten)
January 1, 2007 - September 15, 2025
Researcher and member of research/education/publishing project; developed key concepts for a book, website and presentations as well as site visits and writing case studies in India and other parts of Asia with the goal of educating the public at the intersection of complex systems, human ecology, and sustainability.
Researcher / Journalist at EcoTipping Points project (Human Ecology, Gerald Marten)
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2007
Participated in research/education/publishing project; contributed concepts for a book, website and presentations; wrote case studies in India and other parts of Asia to educate policymakers and communities.
Environmental Columnist/Journalist at Kansai Time Out
January 1, 2004 - September 15, 2025
Environmental columnist for monthly lifestyle/culture magazine; regular contributor to the Japan Times environment section, and Kyoto Journal.
ESL/Global Issues Instructor at Doshisha International High School
April 1, 2003 - September 15, 2025
Content-based instruction to maintain written and conversational English skills for Japanese high school students; used video, film, literature, the internet, and research projects to develop media literacy and critical thinking on themes such as global justice, human rights, consumerism and the environment.
ESL / Global Issues Instructor at Doshisha International High School
April 1, 1999 - April 1, 2003
Used content-based materials to maintain written and conversational English skills for Japanese high school students; used video, film, literature, the internet and research projects to develop media literacy and critical thinking around global issues.
Environmental Columnist / Journalist at Kansai Time Out; Japan Times (Environment Section); Kyoto Journal
January 1, 1993 - October 1, 2004
Environmental columnist for Kansai Time Out; regular contributor to Japan Times environment section; quarterly contributions to Kyoto Journal.

Education

Bachelor of Art at University of Toronto
September 1, 1987 - June 1, 1993
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at University of Toronto
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1993
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, Minor in Psychology at University of Toronto
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1993

Qualifications

Certified Integral Facilitator, Ten Directions
January 1, 2022 - September 15, 2025
Certificate of Conflict Resolution - Specialization in Mediation, The Justice Institute of BC
January 1, 2021 - September 15, 2025
Organization and Relationship Systems Coach (ORSC) - Center for Right Relationships
January 1, 2008 - September 15, 2025
Group Facilitation Skills: ICA (Inter-Cultural Affairs)
January 1, 2008 - September 15, 2025
Community Development Intensive: ICA (Inter-Cultural Affairs)
January 1, 2008 - September 15, 2025
The Art and Science of Coaching, Erickson College
January 1, 2007 - September 15, 2025
Certified Integral Facilitator
January 1, 2022 - June 30, 2026
Certificate of Conflict Resolution - Specialization in Mediation
January 1, 2021 - June 30, 2026
Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) - Centre for Right Relationship
January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2026
Group Facilitation Skills
January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2026
Community Development Intensive
January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2026
The Art and Science of Coaching, Erickson College
January 1, 2007 - June 30, 2026

Industry Experience

Education, Non-Profit Organization, Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Professional Services, Travel & Hospitality, Other