Meet Amy Centers

We had the good fortune of connecting with organizational psychologist Amy Centers, and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for SmartWorks Lab™ came from a collision of frustration, hope, and a deep belief that work doesn’t have to feel this broken. After two decades in leadership development and organizational change, I kept seeing the same patterns: good people burning out in bad systems, companies investing in talent strategy with zero follow-through, and a growing disconnect between what employees need and how leaders are equipped.

At the same time, I was watching the rise of AI—fast, powerful, and often misused or misunderstood. The question that kept me up at night wasn’t just “How do we prepare people for the future of work?” but “How do we redesign work to actually be more human in the age of AI?”

SmartWorks Lab was born as a response to that tension. It’s a place where leadership meets neuroscience, where AI is used responsibly, and where transformation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s measurable, sustainable, and rooted in clarity. We help companies build brain-friendly workplaces, develop grounded leaders, and modernize their talent strategies without losing sight of what matters most: the humans at the center.

In short, I didn’t just want to help leaders get better—I wanted to help work get better.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of knowing yourself—and aligning your work with your strengths, passions, and a clear sense of market fit. Earlier in my career, I made a move that wasn’t the right fit, and I found myself operating in survival mode. It wasn’t sustainable, and it certainly wasn’t my best work. But it became a turning point.

That experience sharpened my self-awareness and taught me what it really takes to bring my best self to work. It also clarified the kind of impact I want to have. Since then, every chapter of my career has been more intentional, more aligned, and more fulfilling.

Today, I’m focused on work that feels meaningful—supporting leaders, organizations, and teams as they navigate complexity and change. I bring a mix of strategic insight, real-world experience, and a deep belief in human potential. Through SmartWorks Lab, I’m helping reshape how we lead, work, and grow in this new era—and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

On a personal note, my husband and I have been to all seven continents, taken the polar plunge in both the Arctic and Antarctic, and I once got chased by an unhappy baboon while climbing Kilimanjaro. A resilient animal lover, I volunteer my time giving belly rubs to an African porcupine, back rubs to a lemur, and banana peels to a slightly homicidal warthog. I also won a home gym on The Price is Right during COVID—which still counts as my finest athletic achievement.

These moments—curious, ridiculous, and surprisingly grounding—shape how I work: with humor, humility, and a deep respect for what it takes to lead well in wild environments (natural or organizational). I believe leadership, like life, is an adventure—and we’re better when we show up for it fully human.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit, we’d kick off the day with an iced latte from Crown Point Coffee, then stroll along Mission Bay to the Mission and Pacific Beach boardwalk, taking in the classic SoCal mix of sunshine, rollerbladers, and ocean breeze. If we’re feeling playful, we might hop on the Giant Dipper roller coaster at Belmont Park just for the nostalgia.

From there, we’d head north to the Torrey Pines Gliderport for a casual lunch with a view and watch the paragliders leap off the cliffs—and maybe even join them. After lunch, we’d hike the trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, winding our way down to the beach to dodge the tide and spot peregrine falcons along the cliffs.

To close out the day, we’d head to Gravity Heights in Sorrento Valley for dinner—great food, chill atmosphere, and the perfect wind-down after a day outdoors. It’s a mix of movement, beauty, and great conversation—everything I’d want to share about life in San Diego.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been fortunate to work alongside many brilliant mentors, partners, and ideas throughout my career. But two leaders stand out without question: Anne Fulton, CEO, and Jo Mills, President, of Fuel50.

During my five years as VP of Client Transformation Solutions at Fuel50, I had a front-row seat to what it means to lead with trust and agency. Anne and Jo didn’t default to control or hierarchy. They led through vision, influence, and clarity—and that changed everything.

What set them apart wasn’t just strategic brilliance. It was their unwavering confidence in me. When someone sees you as smart, capable, and influential, you rise to meet that belief. That kind of trust doesn’t create dependence. It builds boldness. It calls you forward.

Too many companies today chase optimization by commoditizing people. But the most enduring cultures are built on trust, visibility, and support. Anne and Jo proved that when you invest in people, you build something that lasts. They didn’t just talk about future-of-work leadership. They lived it.

At a time when grounded, human-centered leadership feels more urgent than ever, they continue to set the bar.

Website: https://www.smartworkslab.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycenters/

Image Credits
All photos are mine.