Our Roots

Our Mission

To empower children to heal trauma and build resilience through the transformative power of art and education in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

Our Vision

To become a nationally recognized model for healing-centered education that transforms lives through the intersection of art and education.

Our Values

Collaboration

Compassion

Creativity

Empowerment

Equity

Inclusion

Innovation

Integrity

Resilience

Voice & Agency

Our Team

Casey Clark, MBA, M.A. - Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Casey Clark is the Founder, CEO, and Acting Board Chair of Amplified Change, bringing more than 15 years of experience helping individuals and organizations grow with purpose. Her career spans business development, coaching, marketing, and operations, always with a focus on aligning people, processes, and purpose for long-term impact.

Holding master’s degrees in both Business Administration and Health and Wellness Coaching, Casey bridges strategy and empathy, bringing a holistic approach to leadership and organizational growth. She has guided mission-driven initiatives across numerous sectors, leading transformative work from concept to execution with clarity and intention.

A proud graduate of the Leadership Frederick County Class of 2024, Casey is passionate about empowering others through collaboration, resilience, and systems that create lasting change. Through Amplified Change, she is leading the creation of the only school in the region dedicated to serving children with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through the transformative power of art and education, building pathways for healing and resilience that can impact generations.

Heather Whitcomb, M.Ed. – Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer

A lifelong Frederick resident, Heather Whitcomb serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of Amplified Change, bringing a deep commitment to serving the community’s youth. With over a decade of teaching experience in Frederick County Public Schools and a master’s degree in Reading Specialization from Hood College, Heather offers strong expertise in literacy and trauma-informed instruction. She believes that children impacted by trauma deserve more than traditional education—they need a safe, creative space to heal, grow, and thrive.

Heather’s leadership spans both education and nonprofit sectors, where she has successfully raised over $500,000 in funding and earned the Unsung Hero Do-Gooder Award for her dedication and service. Her vision and operational leadership help ensure that Amplified Change delivers high-quality, trauma-informed programming that fosters resilience, creativity, and hope for the children and families we serve.

Amie Myrick, LCPC – Program Evaluation and Impact Chair

Amie Myrick, LCPC, serves as the Program Evaluation and Impact Chair for Amplified Change’s Board of Directors. A licensed clinical professional counselor and seasoned trauma trainer, Amie brings nearly two decades of experience in trauma-informed care, resilience-building strategies, and systems-level evaluation.

She is the owner of New Phase Counseling and Consulting and the Director of Evaluation and Quality Improvement at the HOPE National Resource Center. Amie is also a nationally recognized HOPE facilitator and ACE Interface Master Presenter, with a track record of training professionals and community members at local, national, and international levels. Her work blends compassion with evidence-based, actionable strategies, empowering others to create meaningful change.

Guided by her “why”—to create a compassionate world where all can feel seen—Amie’s vision aligns seamlessly with the mission of Amplified Change. Her expertise, leadership, and dedication strengthen our ability to measure impact and ensure our programs truly transform the lives of children and communities we serve.

Carleah Summers – Secretary

Carleah Summers serves as the Secretary for Amplified Change’s Board of Directors. A visionary leader, recovery advocate, and founder and CEO of Andrea’s House—Frederick County’s first transitional living home for women recovering from substance use and trauma alongside their children—Carleah has transformed lives through her dedication to healing and hope.

Her advocacy and leadership were nationally recognized in the Paramount & Partnership to End Addiction documentary Untreated and Unheard: The Addiction Crisis in America, which highlighted the impact of her work throughout Maryland. With over a decade of experience, education, and hands-on service in the recovery field, Carleah brings deep wisdom, compassion, and a powerful commitment to breaking cycles of trauma.

A proud Frederick native, Carleah is a wife to Luvine and mom to Malik, Dominic, and Channing. She is also a dedicated Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow—the highest honor presented to a Rotarian—reflecting her lifelong commitment to community service. Her insight and passion strengthen our mission to empower children and families to heal, grow, and thrive.

Ellen Mensah – Treasurer

Ellen Mensah serves as Treasurer for Amplified Change’s Board of Directors, bringing more than a decade of experience in accounting, financial management, and strategic planning. Her expertise in fiscal responsibility and compliance ensures that Amplified Change grows with both sustainability and integrity.

Ellen’s career spans private firms and mission-driven organizations, reflecting her dedication to using financial stewardship as a force for good. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA in Finance from Walden University. Known for her calm leadership, exceptional multitasking skills, and steady presence in dynamic environments, Ellen is a trusted guide in navigating both day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.

A lifelong advocate for children’s well-being, Ellen has always sought work that uplifts underserved youth and communities. Her belief in the healing power of compassion, structure, and creativity aligns seamlessly with Amplified Change’s mission to empower children to heal from trauma and build resilience through art and education.

Jennifer Carpenter – Events Chair

Jennifer Carpenter serves as the Events Chair for Amplified Change’s Board of Directors, bringing a dynamic blend of passion, creativity, and purpose to our mission. A land manager, event planner, yoga instructor, and dedicated community advocate, Jennifer’s work reflects her deep commitment to connection, service, and impact.

With a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s in Environmental Science from Hood College, she has spent the past 14 years protecting the Appalachian Trail as Land Manager for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. She is also the owner of Nevermore Weddings and Events, LLC, where she designs and executes unforgettable gatherings—many of which benefit nonprofits making a difference.

Through her pop-up yoga events, Jennifer raises thousands of dollars annually to support causes close to her heart, including animal rescue, mental health services, and LGBTQ+ initiatives. Her dedication to service extends to addressing food insecurity in Frederick County, where she volunteers countless hours to ensure families have access to essential resources.

Whether she’s out on the trail, planning impactful fundraisers, or leading yoga flows for a cause, Jennifer brings heart, humor, and unwavering dedication to everything she does. Her leadership will help bring Amplified Change’s mission to life through events that inspire, connect, and create lasting change.

Kurt Weierstall – Facilities Chair

Based in the City of Frederick, Kurt Weierstall serves as the Facilities Chair on Amplified Change’s founding Board of Directors. With more than 25 years of experience in architecture and real estate development, Kurt’s career has been guided by a core belief: the spaces we build shape how people live, learn, and heal.

Kurt is the founder of Werzog and Embrasure Housing Studio, firms dedicated to creating thoughtful, community-centered commercial, residential, and mixed-use spaces across the Mid-Atlantic. His prior leadership roles with The Housing Studio, Comstock Homes, Wood Partners, and Catawba Corporation saw him spearheading large-scale urban development projects that balanced design excellence with community needs.

He holds a degree in Architecture from Syracuse University and an Executive Certificate in Real Estate Development from Cornell University. A sustaining member of the AIA, NCARB, and ULI, Kurt is licensed in multiple jurisdictions and recognized for his ability to bring complex projects from vision to reality.

Proud to serve his local community, Kurt enjoys exploring historic sites, golfing, and spending time outdoors with his family. His expertise in facilities and infrastructure plays a vital role in ensuring Amplified Change’s spaces foster safety, creativity, and healing for the children and communities we serve.

Lauren Fleming, Esq. – Legal and Governance Chair

Lauren Fleming serves as the Legal and Governance Chair for Amplified Change’s Board of Directors. A government contracts attorney with Miles & Stockbridge, Lauren brings a strategic, people-centered, and mission-driven approach to nonprofit leadership. Her expertise in governance, legal compliance, and risk management helps ensure that Amplified Change operates on a strong, ethical, and sustainable foundation.

With a reputation for meeting organizations exactly where they are, Lauren blends legal insight with a collaborative spirit, championing transparency, accountability, and growth. She believes that sound governance is not just a safeguard, but a catalyst for long-term impact—a philosophy that aligns seamlessly with the mission and vision of Amplified Change.

Lauren’s leadership strengthens our ability to operate with integrity while expanding our capacity to serve children and communities through trauma-informed, resilience-building programs.

Sarah Ballow – Marketing Chair

Sarah Ballow serves as the Marketing Chair for Amplified Change’s Board of Directors, bringing both her marketing expertise and heart for service to our mission. As a valued member of the marketing team at iHire, a tech company based in Frederick, MD, Sarah excels at optimizing marketing projects for maximum impact—connecting people and ideas, learning from each stage of the process, and delivering results that matter.

Before joining iHire, Sarah managed corporate internship programming and recruiting at Marriott International. She is a graduate of the Honors College at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Business Management.

With a deep personal connection to the arts, Sarah sees the transformative potential of Amplified Change to create lasting, generational impact. Her strategic mindset and creative vision help strengthen our ability to share our story, expand our reach, and inspire support for our programs.