Influential Woman · Publishing & Media / Healthcare
Amy Leigh Sazama
Author / Regional Volunteer Coordinator / Yoga and Pilates Instructor, Ten16 Press
Waukesha, WI 53189
Her Story
About Amy
Amy Sazama is an award-winning author, speaker, wellness educator, and community advocate dedicated to helping others find hope, healing, and connection through storytelling and service. Based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Amy combines her background in journalism, healthcare, volunteer leadership, and wellness education to create meaningful impact in the lives of others. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, which has supported her lifelong passion for writing, communication, and sharing stories that inspire resilience.
Amy is the author of the award-winning memoir Fleetwood Dreams: Climbing a Mountain After a Landslide, published by Ten16 Press, which received the Midwest Independent Publisher Book Award for Best Memoir. Through her writing, speaking engagements, and media appearances, Amy shares her journey through grief and loss with the goal of helping others feel understood and less alone. Her personal experiences with loss shaped her mission to transform hardship into healing, encouraging others to discover strength, hope, and purpose during difficult seasons of life. She is also working on a children’s book, Mindful Mabel Learns Kindness, which introduces young readers to mindfulness, emotional awareness, compassion, and healthy ways to navigate challenges.
Professionally, Amy serves as a Regional Volunteer Coordinator for St. Croix Hospice, where she leads volunteer engagement and supports programs that provide comfort and care to patients and families. Her career also includes more than a decade of experience as a yoga and Pilates instructor, teaching adults and children while promoting mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional wellness. Through her volunteer work with grief-support organizations, community programs, and wellness initiatives, Amy continues to demonstrate her commitment to service, kindness, and creating lasting connections. Her work reflects a belief that every story matters and that small acts of compassion can leave a meaningful legacy.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to turning personal grief into purpose through writing, teaching, and volunteering to help others feel less alone. I’m also deeply inspired by my beloved aunt, who taught me resilience, kindness, and how to find opportunity in life’s challenges.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my late aunt: to see every challenge as an opportunity for growth. She taught me that setbacks can become turning points and that resilience, kindness, and compassion should guide everything I do. Those lessons continue to shape my work, my writing, and my commitment to serving others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to never underestimate the impact of helping on a small scale. You don’t have to change the world all at once—meaningful change often begins by serving one person or one community at a time. Everyone has unique skills and gifts to offer, so find ways to share them through organizations, volunteer work, or simply by supporting those around you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in my field is using personal experiences to create meaningful connection and hope for others. I’ve found that vulnerability and storytelling can inspire healing, build community, and remind people they are not alone. While stepping into new opportunities takes courage, each experience has strengthened my ability to serve and make a positive impact through writing, speaking, wellness, and volunteer work.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, commitment, and showing up for others. I believe that keeping my word reflects who I am, and that taking the first step—no matter how challenging—can create meaningful change. Ultimately, I strive to leave a positive legacy through the impact I make and the way I am remembered by others.
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