Amanda Taylor joined the University of Illinois Extension Leadership team in 2013.  In her current role, Associate Director of Workforce Development, she provides leadership and direction to our talent acquisition process, employee retention strategies, professional development and training for staff, volunteer and risk management plans and policies, and works closely with College of ACES Human Resources team, Assistant Directors for Regions, and Program Leaders. 

She received her Master of Education degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications, also from the University of Illinois. 

Prior to joining the Illinois Extension Leadership Team, she served as County Director and 4-H Youth Development Educator with Purdue Extension.  She also has held Extension positions in Hamilton, Piatt, Wayne and White counties in Illinois in both 4-H and SNAP program areas. She first began her career in Extension at the State 4-H Office working on the 4-H Can Make a Difference food drive campaign. 

Amanda has served as the North Central Regional Representative for the NAEPSDP association, has received the Early Career Award in 2018 from NAEPSDP for her work in developing a mentoring program, and currently serves as the Extension Director on the College of ACES Alumni Association Board of Directors.