Amanda Moore McBride, PhD, MSW
Executive Leadership Coach | Professor & Dean Emerita, University of Denver
I coach current and aspiring academic leaders to lead change, build thriving teams, and sustain their well-being—so they can lead with confidence and effectiveness.
“Amanda helped me move from reacting to every challenge to leading with intention. I left coaching with greater clarity, stronger boundaries, and the confidence to make decisions I could stand behind.”
I work with higher education leaders navigating the realities of academic leadership: leading organizational change, balancing competing demands, managing faculty and staff, and preparing for the next chapter of their careers. Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time, facing a difficult transition, or seeking greater impact without sacrificing yourself, I help you lead authentically and effectively.
What we work on:
- Leading Change: You’re responsible for moving people through uncertainty. Together, we build the confidence and strategy needed to lead transformation.
- Managing Faculty & Staff: Difficult conversations, performance concerns, and team dynamics become opportunities for clarity, accountability, and growth.
- Career Advancement: You want to move into a chair, dean, or a further executive role and position yourself strategically for the next opportunity.
- Preventing Burnout: Leadership can consume your energy, time, and identity. We create practices that support resilience and sustainable success.
- Authentic Leadership: You want your leadership style to reflect your values while still achieving results in complex environments.
For nearly 25 years, I have served in senior leadership roles at both the University of Denver and Washington University in St. Louis, including as Dean, Associate Dean, Founding Executive Director of a campus-wide institute, and Research Director of an international research center. I have taught leadership, organizational change, and philanthropy as well as researched and written about higher education’s civic mission.
I became a coach because developing academic leaders was the favorite part of my leadership roles. Too many talented leaders struggle in isolation with self-doubt and overwhelm. I work with academic leaders to understand their challenges and help them match strategy to context.
My coaching is informed by my training as a social worker, scholar, executive leader, and certified well-being coach and yoga and meditation teacher. I am currently writing on how self-awareness and self-leadership informs modern leadership.
If you’re ready to lead with greater clarity, effectiveness, and well-being, I’d be honored to connect.