This is Artemis Consulting

Inspired by the Greek goddess Artemis—the fierce protector of children, nature, and the vulnerable—Artemis Consulting champions policies that nurture our greatest resources: people and community. Just as Artemis stood watch over those who could not yet advocate for themselves, we advocate for thoughtful, evidence-based policies in education, health, and the environment—working toward a future where every child, family, and community thrives.

Rooted in Upstate South Carolina, our mission extends beyond borders, aiming to inspire systems-level change across the region and beyond.

What We Do

Educational & Early Childhood Policy

We’re dedicated to improving early childhood systems—especially child care and Kindergarten readiness—because we believe workforce readiness begins at birth. By aligning educational initiatives with real-world family needs, we help build foundations for lifelong success.

Candidate Development & Campaign Support

We believe that strong leadership starts with strong support. Our Candidate Development and Campaign Support program identifies, prepares, and uplifts emerging leaders who are committed to building more equitable, informed communities.

Coalition Building

Progress doesn’t happen in silos. We bring diverse voices together—parents, educators, policymakers, business leaders—to form inclusive coalitions that drive meaningful, actionable change.

Research, Strategy & Evaluation

With academic rigor and community insight, we evaluate programs, assess policy impacts, design and implement original research as well as design strategic solutions tailored to local needs.

Smiling woman (Amanda) leaning against a stone wall, wearing a colorful patterned jacket and a pearl necklace, in an outdoor setting with grass and trees in the background.

Meet the Founder

Amanda McDougald Scott, Ph.D. is the Director of the Responsible Action PAC and Artemis Consulting, where she currently works on building a statewide system for the recruitment, training, and platform for (RESP ACTION). In addition, she researches, writes, and advocates for policy. Her particular areas of expertise are systems, health care, psychology, early childhood, and child care. For the past eight years, Dr. McDougald Scott has been a community and policy researcher, which fuels her advocacy for early childhood with a special focus on child care. She believes that Kindergarten readiness is workforce readiness for children. families, and employers. Dr. McDougald Scott has an array of both interests and areas of training, and her understanding of systems-that all areas of policy must work well with together to create a more meaningful whole-allows her flexibility in her approach to different topic areas. She also has much experience with building diverse and inclusive coalitions to work towards common goals.

Background:

Dr. Amanda McDougald Scott is a seasoned researcher, policy advocate, and community leader with a rich background in early childhood education, public health, and political engagement.​

Current Roles:

  • Founder & Director, Artemis Consulting: Leads initiatives focusing on educational and health policy, particularly in early childhood systems and child care.

  • Director, Responsible Action PAC: Oversees efforts to recruit, train, and support candidates for school board positions, promoting responsible leadership in education.

  • Content Contributor, Motherly: Provides insights and articles on topics related to parenting, education, and community well-being. ​partnerwithartemis.com

Previous Experience:

  • Research Associate, Institute for Child Success: Conducted research aimed at improving outcomes for children and families.

  • Project Coordinator, Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative: Implemented community-based initiatives to enhance the quality of life in the Nicholtown community.

  • Graduate Research Assistant, Clemson University: Worked on the NIH Adolescent Dating Violence Study, contributing to important research in adolescent health.

  • Nutrition Education Coordinator, The Nashville Mobile Market: Promoted nutrition education and access to healthy foods in underserved areas.

  • Program Coordinator II & Research Analyst II, Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Provided oversight and consultation on health communication research projects. ​THE ORG

Education:

  • Ph.D. in International Family and Community Studies, Clemson University

  • M.S. in Applied Experimental Psychology, Augusta State University

  • B.A. in Experimental Psychology, University of South Carolina​

Dr. McDougald Scott's diverse experiences reflect her commitment to integrating research, policy, and community engagement to drive systemic change.

A woman (Amanda) and a child smiling on a wooden deck at sunset with a lake and trees in the background.
Young child wearing a purple hat, sitting at an outdoor café with red umbrellas in the background, and dressed in a white polo shirt.
A person wearing an orange jacket poses with a woman in a graduation cap and gown and a young child in front of a waterfall and trees.
A smiling woman (Amanda) and child wearing sunglasses in a grassy field under a sunny sky.
Graduate (Amanda) in purple academic regalia standing on a bridge with a waterfall and cityscape in the background.
Amanda in a purple dress, smiling and holding a young boy in her lap, seated at an outdoor dining area with greenery in the background.