Tamara O’Hearn-Amman, Ph.D.

Dr. Tamara O’Hearn-Amman is a dedicated nonprofit leader, educator, and crisis intervention counselor with over 15 years of experience bridging mental health, education, and community service. Since 2007, she has led Gamsby’s Project, a nationally recognized public charity providing service dogs and counseling to families in hospitals, hospices, and long-term care facilities. Her innovative work has earned her prestigious accolades, including the Presidential Points of Light Award and the National Public Administration Unsung Hero Award. Tamara’s commitment to empowering and supporting individuals in need reflects her deep compassion and strategic leadership.

In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Tamara has an extensive background in higher education, having served as Director of the Writing Program and Associate Professor of English at MacMurray College. She has designed and led curriculum initiatives, supervised faculty, and implemented retention and student success programs. Her academic expertise in rhetoric and composition, combined with her experience in counseling, enables her to support students, educators, and communities with a holistic and empathetic approach.

Beyond her professional roles, Tamara has contributed to remote educational programs through The Prose Muse Group and Kooyaya LLC, providing tutoring in English, literature, and test preparation for K-12 and undergraduate students. Passionate about mental health, literacy, and community empowerment, she continues to develop programs and partnerships that make meaningful, lasting impacts in the lives of those she serves.

• FarmResponse Program

• The University of Virginia
• BSU- Ph.D.
• James Madison University- M.F.A.