DIversability inc. Team

amanda hamer

Executive Director

Since 2016

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in English from the University of Oregon and a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Oregon State University - Cascades, and holds certifications as a Community Health Worker, Family Support Specialist, and Sibshop Facilitator Trainer. In her decades of experience working in the human service field, Amanda has honed skills in behavior intervention, group facilitation, connecting individuals and families to meaningful resources, professional consultation, education advocacy, and leadership.  Since 2004, just after her oldest daughter was born with Down syndrome, Amanda’s focus has been working with and advocating for people experiencing diversabilities and their families. Amanda has served on several state and local boards, councils and committees and often speaks in classroom and conference settings. Currently, Amanda is a member of the City of Bend Accessibility Advisory Council and serves as the Team Lead for our Sibling Support and Community Resource Specialist programs. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys being with family and friends, expanding cultural competency, traveling and frequently changing her hair color!

jackie petrovic direct support professional

Since 2024

Jackie earned her MBA from Brandman-Chapman University and used her degree to advance her career in the field of software technology. Later in life, she found her heart’s calling in human services and studied to be a substance abuse counselor. Growing up with a facial condition called vitiligo, Jackie was shy and found fulfillment in music. Her first career was in the music industry as a singer/songwriter in L.A. Jackie now uses her music abilities as a fun and meaningful way to connect with people. 

Raising a son who needed behavior support, Jackie can identify with the struggle and isolation parents often feel when support is limited. She is honored to be working with an organization like Diversability Inc. that strives to help families receive the help they need for their loved ones to thrive with independence, joy, and dignity. 

Jackie loves spending time with her husband, family, friends, two bouncy doodle dogs, and two purrfect cats. Jackie is an advocate for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and practices mindfulness through painting, nature, hiking, boarding, and of course, singing & songwriting. Jackie is a leukemia survivor.

abi eichstaedt

sib mentor & dsp

Since 2024

Abi has lived in Bend for most of her life, having moved from her birthplace of Salem, Oregon at a young age. Abi is an aspiring medical professional, influenced by her siblings who have managed various medical traumas. After graduating from Bend High School with Honors, Abi began charting a path in higher education in pursuit of a degree in medicine. Abi is a certified lifeguard and is excited to learn more about the world of diversabilities through her work with Diversability Inc.! In her free time, Abi enjoys being with friends and playing with fur babies.

sarah goodman

Program Director

Since 2018

Sarah has been with Diversability since 2018 when she started as a Job Coach! She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Special Education from the University of Oregon. Born and raised in the Portland area, Sarah knew from a young age that working with individuals with diversabilities was her passion. In high school she volunteered as a peer tutor for students with diversabilities as well as worked in 3rd and 5th grade classrooms. In college Sarah volunteered with Special Olympics Oregon and worked as a Direct Support Professional on breaks. After college Sarah interned for Special Olympics Oregon and continued working as a Direct Support Professional. After traveling through Europe for two months Sarah returned to Portland to work as a Special Education Assistant. After traveling to Bend her entire life, she decided it was time to finally make the permanent move to. She loves to hike, ski, hang at the local breweries and float the river! Sarah is thrilled to be a part of the Diversability Inc. team and to serve the local community.

 

Violet Sturgill

Job Coach & DSP

Since 2023

Violet is engaged with their community through work, school, and theater! When they’re ready, a fabulous bio will be placed here!

livi hamer

sib mentor & DSP

Since 2024

Alivia, or Livi, was born and raised in Bend, Oregon where she is the middle of three sisters, one of whom was born with Down syndrome. Livi is an emotionally intelligent, nurturing soul with skills beyond her years. Music, comedy and medical dramas are her go-to entertainment. Livi is a proud member of the ‘long blue line’ at Bend High School where she served as a Peer Mentor in Special Programs and Unified Sports, as well as a Childcare Assistant in the Bear Cub Infant/Toddler Center. As Livi transitions to the exciting world of post-secondary education, she looks forward to continuing her work at Diversability Inc. as a Sibshop Facilitator and Direct Support Professional!

Kara Fallini
Job Developer

Since 2020

Kara earned a Bachelor of Art degree in English Literature from the University of Oregon and grew up in the California Bay Area. She has lived on both coasts and abroad, and thoroughly enjoys learning about the nation, other countries, and cultures. She has a passion for nature, being active, spending time with her family, friends, and pets. Kara is highly skilled with treatment planning and implementation, along with mentoring and collaborating for the best outcomes with clients. She has over 10 years of work experience achieving these goals with people ranging in age from 3-83. She has provided overall case management and community referrals with crisis intervention skills and emotional support while working with various caseloads for social service agencies. She has a talent for relationship building and is knowledgeable with both setting the stage for learning and meeting objectives. She is a results-driven achiever with solid planning and organizational skills and can think on her feet to solve problems, while simultaneously enjoying slowing down and appreciating life in-the-moment. She is excited to be a part of Diversability Inc.’s team and support positive lifestyle changes to help people be their best selves.

Shinshi Cunningham

Employment Professional

Since 2021

Shinshi graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors of Applied Arts Degree and licensure in Teaching English.  Shinshi began her teaching career as a middle school Spanish teacher and then moved into substitute teaching across the Northeast and Midwest, in public and private schools, focusing on English, Spanish, French and German classes and settings focused on supporting individuals having disabilities. During her free summers Shinshi worked with the US Forest Service and National Park Service which brought her to Oregon and Washington. As a Wildland Firefighter, Wilderness Ranger, and Botanist, Shinshi fulfilled her passion of being in nature and working with youth and adults. Shinshi has worked with Youth Conservation Corps, Northwest Youth Corps, and Heart of Oregon Corps, which were comprised of individuals having varying cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities. Shinshi’s main focus was to meet individuals with empathy, understanding, compassion, and kindness. Shinshi transitioned from a career working with the Deschutes National Forest to Diversability Inc. by way of a motor vehicle accident which offered insights and healing opportunities that came through a Traumatic Brain Injury.  Having the first-hand experience of living and working with an invisible disability has offered limitless opportunities to engage with individuals in ways that support them to be valued, seen, heard, and understood.  Shinshi is beyond thrilled to wake up each day and know that she gets to show up for an individual offering respect, support and connection!  Outside of these fulfilling employment opportunities, Shinshi has two fur-children, a narcoleptic fur-daughter with Thermo-regulatory Disorder and a hyperactive fur-son with OCD (Obsessive Curiosity Disorder) that are the focus of the majority of her home life time and energy. When not indulging their every whim and fancy, Shinshi is generally sitting on a cushion, on her bike, on the water, or on the trail!