It is with bittersweet emotion that we share that Amy Rynell, our Senior Director of Research & Policy, will be leaving Heartland Alliance after 23 years. Amy will be taking on the Executive Director role at another local organization, where she will continue to leverage her unique talents in new and impactful ways for social change.
Amy began at the organization as an intern, where she quickly saw the need for system-level changes in order to combat the poverty she saw participants experiencing. That drive to make systems change resulted in the founding of our division and ever since then, Amy has been instrumental in Heartland’s efforts to tackle the root causes of social problems and work toward a more just and equitable society. Under Amy’s leadership, we passed and implemented significant legislation to reduce inequities and increase opportunities; we catalyzed and documented innovative solutions to social problems; we mobilized groups to fight for social change; and we equipped organizations to push for program and systems improvements. Simply put, the work Amy led during her tenure has improved the lives of millions of people, including every single one of us.
Here is just a fraction of the ways in which Amy inspired her Heartland Alliance colleagues:
“Amy is among the best teachers, mentors, and nurturers of social justice and human rights change I will ever know – I’ve been beyond lucky and privileged to get a chance to work alongside her. From our early days nurturing a national coalition and advancing federal legislation to support transitional jobs, to building new movements to advance human rights for people experiencing homelessness and those who are justice involved, Amy has taught me a zillion things. There are not enough words to describe the impact that she’s had on me personally and professionally. Instead, here are some of my favorite Amy Rynell quotes:
‘Make no small plans.’
‘Use data but tell stories.’
’Tone down the certainty.’
‘Legislation is a blunt instrument – use it wisely.’
– Melissa Young, Interim Director, Heartland Alliance Research & Policy
“Amy Rynell mentored me along the path from being a senior researcher to becoming a director, and saw—and nurtured—leadership abilities in me that I didn’t know I had. Her ability to stitch together passion, genuine kindness, curiosity, and dogged determination inspires me to be a better human rights worker every day. She is visionary, fearless, creative, and a doer, as well as a thinker. Amy leaves behind a legacy of making more equitable and forward-looking the systems that impact the lives of people experiencing poverty. It is no exaggeration to say that her work has shaped the lives of millions. We will miss you, Amy, and we will carry on the work with your spirit infusing it.”
– Katie Buitrago, Director of Research
We are so grateful to Amy for her years of dedication to our work and for her amazing character, spirit, and leadership. While we are sad to see her leave, we are excited to see the fantastic things she will continue to do for our city, state, and, frankly, the world!
