Amanda Fornal

Amanda Fornal is a founder, executive coach, startup advisor, and business consultant with more than 25 years of experience in technology, business transformation, and change management. Through her company Orange SFM, she helps leaders build resilient, human-centered organizations by improving strategy, strengthening processes, and guiding teams through complex transitions.

She is the founder of Founder Buddies, a community supporting purpose-driven entrepreneurs through structured peer connections, coaching, and cohort-based learning. Amanda also serves as a Director with Founder Institute Germany, where she has advised more than 100 early-stage founders. She is the creator of the Investing in Kindness initiative, which explores how kindness influences leadership, business practices, and investment decision-making.

Beyond her work in business, Amanda is an explorer and cultural visual storyteller. She is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and the founder of Women in Exploration. She has traveled to more than 100 countries documenting global traditions and women’s histories, and works to highlight the contributions of women in scientific research, sustainability, and cultural learning.

Through her Love is… project, Amanda interviewed 612 people across more than 75 countries about how they define love and which forms of love they value most. This research has informed her coaching practice as well as creative works, including a play, a musical, and a technology initiative. Drawing on these insights, she founded Elephari, a storytelling platform that helps individuals and organizations capture, preserve, and share meaningful stories.

Amanda works at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and transformation. Her perspective is shaped by a rare combination of enterprise consulting, startup advising, global research, and cultural exploration. Leaders work with Amanda when challenges are complex, decisions carry real consequences, and thoughtful leadership matters.