Board spotlight: Meet Amanda DeDiego, PhD

The Natrona Collective Health Trust board is representative of the diverse voices of Natrona County. Over the coming months, we’ll be introducing you to our board members through a series of Board Spotlight blogs. See a full listing of board members on our “Who we are” page.

When Amanda DeDiego moved to Wyoming from bustling Atlanta nearly a decade ago, the quiet streets and wide-open spaces were a big change—but a welcome one. “The lack of traffic is really nice,” she laughs. Now, after almost nine years in Natrona County, she’s deeply embedded in the community through her work, volunteer efforts, and love of the outdoors.

Amanda wears many hats: she’s an Associate Professor of Counseling at the University of Wyoming, a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Wyoming and Colorado, and a practicing mental health clinician with nearly 15 years of experience. Her educational journey is equally impressive, with a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Tennessee and a collection of certifications that reflect her commitment to learning and healing—including current work toward a Graduate Certificate in Community & Public Health and licensure in auricular acupuncture. She’s also trained in EMDR and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy.

But beyond her credentials, Amanda is someone who genuinely loves to support others. Whether she’s mentoring students, helping clients process trauma, or building programs at UW Casper, her passion for making a difference runs deep. “I’m passionate about addressing barriers to accessing mental health care,” she says, adding that the Trust’s mission and priorities align with her own personal values.

Amanda has served on the Trust board for nearly three years and is an active participant in the work of the Program Committee and the Nominating & Governance Committee. Her first board meeting was held at one of the Trust’s nonprofit partner facilities, the Science Zone, where she experienced firsthand the activities they offer to young people in our community. “We built boats out of tin foil and determined how to keep our boats afloat,” she remembers. “Learning about how the Trust supports nonprofits in our community who do meaningful work was so exciting.”

When asked what “health and wellbeing” means to her, Amanda doesn’t hesitate: “It’s about balance.” She’s intentional about incorporating that balance into her own life as she juggles work and fun. “I’m notorious for working too much,” she admits, but she also carves out space for joy. That joy often comes in the form of running, hiking, or donning a light-up tutu for the Disney World half marathon each spring.

In addition to her clinical work and teaching, Amanda has helped grow the Master in Counseling program at UW Casper, expanding the pipeline of mental health professionals in the region. She hopes to continue closing service gaps in the community—especially around mental health. “We’re at a moment where we can choose to look out for our neighbors—or lose that sense of community,” she says. “I hope we keep choosing to look out for each other.”

As for the future of the Trust, Amanda envisions it as a catalyst—a quiet powerhouse behind the scenes. “The Trust supports nonprofits without overshadowing them,” she says. “I hope to see us continue to advocate for change and support those doing the hard work in the trenches.”

“I’m so proud to be part of an organization that takes on tough topics and fights for all members of our community,” she says.