Amanda Berry

Amanda has dedicated her career to supporting young children and their families in the greater Asheville area since 2003. With a strong foundation in child development, behavior, and family systems, she combines professional expertise with her personal experiences of raising a now young, autistic adult as well as two children with dyslexia and ADHD. Through empathy and understanding these experiences have shaped her deep commitment to advocacy, support and education.

Currently, Amanda serves as the Director of Child, Youth and Family Development which includes the SUNSHINE Project, Community Parent Resource Center and Navigator Plus Projects at FIRSTwnc. She is also an ambassador to North Carolina for the CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. Additionally, she serves as an ambassador for the Division for Early Childhood’s (DEC) Recommended Practices, advancing evidence-based strategies to support young children and their families as well as serving on the board of the North Carolina DEC.

As a certified Infant-Toddler Specialist with the Children’s Developmental Services Agency, she focuses on early intervention and family education, promoting positive outcomes for children and caregivers.

Amanda holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Birth-Kindergarten from Western Carolina University as well as a Master of Teaching in Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy, along with a post-graduate Coaching and Mentoring. She is passionate about empowering families, advocating for exceptional children, and staying at the forefront of developments in her field.

Outside of her professional work, Amanda enjoys creative and hands-on activities, including baking food preservation, and candle-making. Inspired by the natural world, she is dedicated to fostering curiosity and reverence for nature in future generations.