
Founder & President, Amy Tait Employment Strategies (ATES)
Amy Tait is the founder and driving force behind Amy Tait Employment Strategies (ATES), a nonprofit organization committed to empowering individuals with disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities. With over two decades of experience in workforce development, Amy has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers and building pathways to self-sufficiency—especially for underserved communities, including survivors of abuse, individuals with disabilities, the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Amy’s journey toward founding ATES was deeply personal and purpose-driven. As a licensed minister, she recognized a critical gap in how traditional employment services addressed the holistic needs of individuals facing systemic challenges. Her passion for teaching and her own experience as a survivor of abuse inspired her to create a model that not only equips individuals with job skills but also supports their emotional and spiritual healing.
Her professional career began in direct service roles, including job coaching, development, and case management. She quickly rose to lead professional development teams across multiple job center locations, where she played a pivotal role in helping hundreds of deaf individuals move beyond dependency on government assistance and into sustainable careers. Amy’s approach consistently challenged outdated perceptions, advocating for equity, dignity, and the full potential of every individual.
In November 2021, Amy launched Amy Tait Employment Strategies (ATES), which quickly became a member of the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN)—a division of the National Disability Institute (NDI). Through ADEN, ATES serves as a nationally recognized provider under the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program. In addition, ATES is a certified Vocational Rehabilitation services provider for the State of Michigan, offering a full range of services including benefits planning, job readiness training, employer engagement, and long-term support to clients across the United States. Since 2007, Amy has also maintained a strong and collaborative working relationship with the American Job Center (AJC) network.
ATES is a reflection of Amy’s broader mission: to integrate education, career development, and faith-based support into a comprehensive framework that empowers individuals to reclaim their independence and purpose. Her work through Art of God Ministry—particularly the God’s Butterflies Women’s Ministry—continues this mission, using therapeutic arts, spiritual mentorship, and community programs to help survivors of abuse heal and thrive. Amy Tait’s leadership is defined by compassion, innovation, and an unwavering belief in human potential. Through ATES, she continues to change lives—one career, one story, and one soul at a time.