Amy Rutstein-Riley

Amy Rutstein-Riley is an Associate Professor at Antioch University's Graduate School of Leadership and Change, specializing in Women's Leadership and Trauma-informed Leadership. Prior to this, she held multiple roles at Lesley University over 18 years, including Director of the PhD Specialization in Adult Learning and Development, Dean of the Faculty, Dean of the Graduate School of Education, and Associate Provost of Academic Affairs. Her interdisciplinary work bridges Sociology, Public Health, and Education.

• PhD in Educational Studies (Sociology, Women's Health), Lesley University
• MPH in Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Simmons College

Amy's research focuses on girls' and emerging adult women's development, particularly through feminist relational frameworks. She explores how chronic illness, media literacy, and trauma-informed practices shape identity formation in educational and healthcare contexts. Her work emphasizes qualitative research methods and relational pedagogy.

Amy's publications and presentations center on relational mentoring, leadership development for women faculty, and girlhood studies. Her book Leadership Enrichment and Development (Routledge, 2021) highlights peer/self-mentoring strategies. She has contributed to journals like Feminist Teacher and New Directions for Teaching and Learning.

• Massachusetts ACE Women’s Network Emerging Leader Award (2016)
• Reebok Foundation Grant ($3,500) for 'Girls, Media, and You!' (2011)
• Lesley University Faculty Sabbatical Award (2012)
• Bay State College President’s Award for Excellence (1996)

Amy has mentored numerous PhD candidates and co-founded The Girlhood Project, a feminist educational initiative. She secured grants from the American Association of University Women, DOJ OVW, and Learn and Serve America for projects addressing gender-based violence, media literacy, and relational learning. Her work spans collaborations with the National Women’s Studies Association and the International Leadership Association.