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I am Dr. Amy Thayer

I help women lead well and live well—grounded in the science of health and wellbeing, rooted in intention and purpose and built to be sustainable.

Credentials & Experience

Dr. Amy Thayer holds a PhD in Human Nutrition, Foods & Exercise from Virginia Tech, where her research focused on dissemination and implementation science—specifically how organizations create the conditions that support sustainable behavior change, health promotion and performance.

Her work bridges rigorous academic research with real-world application. She has led and managed large-scale health and wellbeing research initiatives at Kaiser Permanente (Colorado and Portland), Virginia Tech and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, translating evidence into practical strategies that drive measurable outcomes.

Complementing her scientific training, Dr. Thayer is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, with advanced expertise in whole-person health that integrates physical, cognitive, emotional and relational dimensions to support sustainable leadership capacity.

She also brings firsthand experience from a Fortune 500 organization, giving her a practical understanding of high-performance environments, organizational complexity and the structural pressures experienced by senior women leaders.

Her multidisciplinary background, which spans behavioral science, health systems research, coaching, consultancy and education uniquely positions her to partner with organizations seeking evidence-based, scalable approaches to leadership sustainability.

My Approach

My education and professional experience combine behavioral science, health and wellbeing expertise, and executive-level coaching to support meaningful, sustainable change.

I bring a disciplined, evidence-informed approach to leadership development—grounded in rigorous research and translated into practical strategies leaders can apply in real-world environments. Our work together is informed by validated science, thoughtful inquiry and deep listening, allowing me to quickly understand your context and identify the pathways that matter most.

I integrate theory with practice to clarify patterns, strengthen decision-making and design targeted interventions aligned to your unique goals and organizational realities. Every engagement is tailored—drawing on proven methodologies to build internal capacity, support adaptation under pressure and drive lasting performance.

And, when working with our educational partners, CourLife's Education Advisor, Amanda McKernan, expertly leads the engagement.

In short, I help leaders move from insight to implementation—with clarity, structure and purpose.

How I Work

I partner with senior women leaders and the organizations they serve to build leadership capacity that is both human-centered and performance-driven. I don’t lead with prescriptive answers. I listen closely, ask incisive questions and help clarify what matters most in this next chapter of leadership and life.

My approach balances empathy with accountability. I bring warmth and respect, alongside clarity, structure and direct feedback when it supports growth. I listen to understand, not to correct, and I use evidence-based strategies to strengthen insight, self-trust and decision-making under pressure.

Together, we identify and release patterns that no longer support wellbeing or leadership effectiveness. Our work builds whole-person capacity—physical, cognitive, emotional and relational—in ways that are practical, sustainable and aligned with real-world leadership demands.

I create space for reflection and integration while providing research-backed tools and steady support that translate into clearer thinking, stronger presence and more sustainable performance.

This work is not about becoming someone new. It’s about strengthening your foundation, reconnecting with your values and stepping into the next phase of leadership with intention, resilience and purpose.

You already have what you need to thrive. I help you activate it—for your benefit and for the systems you lead.

Beyond The Work

I live in Nashville, Tennessee, with my three dogs, Ellington, Huxley, and Winslow—collectively and affectionately known as "The Boys."

When I'm not researching, you'll find me walking The Boys by the lake, working in the yard or sitting outside with a good craft beer at happy hour. I love being near or in the water. I love hanging with friends and family. I also enjoy watching PBS documentaries and Million Dollar Listing with equal enthusiasm and zero apology.

I read mostly nonfiction... the nerdy, essence-of-life and research kind... because I am nerdy and my work is quite intertwined with my life.

My favorite snack is Haute Pop's Black Gold Nooch (black truffle with nutritional yeast), which I created because I believe you can have healthy and flavorful at the same time.

I founded Livin' Right to celebrate the most beautiful virtues in life... humility, authenticity, generosity, gratitude, empathy, kindness, joy.

I founded 4 Bark Farm to celebrate the most beautiful being in life... the dog.

And I founded CourLife because I believe women shouldn't have to choose between the leader they've worked to become and the life they deserve to live.