As a practice leader and founder at Firefly, Oana works with some of the biggest brands in the business, from multinational consumer goods companies, to the leading disruptors in fintech, fitness, global technology investment, gaming, online marketplace, media, ride-hailing, and the wellness industry. Her work is focused on enabling organizational culture transformation and is rooted in her strong belief that as leaders evolve and transform so will the cultures of the businesses they lead and the world around them.
Throughout her career, Oana Amaria has played an integral role in driving culture change throughout organizations in both the private and public sectors. Her expertise in strategy development and scaling, culture/bias audits, curriculum design, and training makes her a highly sought-after partner for leaders seeking to effectively leverage the diverse talent, experiences, and backgrounds of their teams and communities.
Prior to consulting, Oana was a workforce development specialist, managing the Workforce Investment Act program for the State of Illinois through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Her key role was to expand economic opportunity by developing partnerships and technology accessible to individuals across socioeconomic levels. Oana’s experience also extends to academia where she was an adjunct professor at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Masters of Public Administrations.
Oana holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from North Park University and a Master of Science in International Public Services from DePaul University. She has furthered her education at the Gestalt International Study Center, where she completed advanced programs such as "Coaching Teams: Applying the Cape Cod Model in Organizations." Oana is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI®) and the Barrett Values Cultural Assessment. Additionally, she is an accredited facilitator of Transformation through Values.
Her philosophy as a practitioner is deeply influenced by Gestalt principles and is grounded in the belief of our interconnectedness. She emphasizes acknowledging and honoring the dignity of every individual and community she works with, fostering a holistic approach to understanding and growth.
Founder + Practice Leader
Seattle, WA
She/her/hers
Oana Amaria
After spending her early years growing up in Romania, Oana’s own experience emigrating to the United States as a refugee in the late 1980’s fueled her desire to create a strong community that enables individuals to succeed – no matter their identities, experiences, and cultures. After a decade of development work in countries such as Ghana, India, Mexico, Romania, and China, Oana channeled this desire by becoming a leading DEI practitioner and organizational development consultant.
Living Our Values
Oana is a bridge builder and the evidence is in the ways she fosters rapport, finds common ground and enables the ties that bind us. She is a true visionary, who is able to quickly grasp the bigger picture in a situation, but also move fast to operationalize it. Finally, she shines brightest in her role as a creative: crafting meaningful learning experiences, or using visual storytelling that facilitates transformation and change.
In her off hours, Oana can be found cooking and playing with her daughters, wrangling her Australian Shepherd ‘Bear’, or checking out new brunch spots with her partner in the Pacific Northwest. She also enjoys hiking, rock climbing, dancing and feeding her friends.
