2007 40 Under 40 Honoree: Amanda Byrd

Amanda Byrd, a volunteer supervisor with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri, wouldn’t mind if one day her services were no longer needed.

“I would love nothing more than to be put out of work due to the fact that child abuse and neglect no longer exists, but as long as it does, I will do my part to help,” Byrd said.

Though she doesn’t consider herself a high-powered executive, Byrd said her work is important because of the children CASA protects.

“I empower child advocates with the support to stand up for children who are in the foster care system in Greene County due to abuse or neglect,” Byrd said. “These are children who might not otherwise have a voice in the court system.”

Byrd is involved in the training, screening and placement of volunteer advocates.

“The CASA volunteer is often the only person who remains constant on a child’s case … until the child has a safe, permanent home,” she said, “Our primary goal is to provide a consistent voice in the courtroom for every abused and neglected child in Greene County who needs one.”

Because CASA receives funding from United Way, Byrd understands how critical support is to the organization, and that understanding shapes her primary method of community support beyond her job duties.

“I have been giving to the United Way for several years and plan to always continue,” she said.

The foundation on which Byrd builds her career is her family, especially her parents.

“They encouraged me to do my best, guided and supported me, but at the same time, allowed me to make some poor decisions, knowing I would learn from them in the end,” she said.

Her family also includes Jeff, her husband of nearly four years, and their son, Jackson, 15 months.

Stats

Position: Volunteer Supervisor, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri

Age: 29

Favorite professional sports team: St. Louis Cardinals

A quote to live by: “To be content is greater than riches, so love what you have.”