Meet the Staff

Stephanie Shumate, Director Stephanie is the Inaugural Director of the Tallahassee-Leon County Commission on Status of Women and Girls. She is a natural connector with a passion for always starting with “Why” when working with people and serving in her community, and believes connection and communication are keys to success. Stephanie brings almost two decades of community engagement, advocacy initiatives, production management, innovative communication strategies, leadership training, personal development, and group facilitation to the CSWG. Stephanie was most recently Vice President of Client Relations at CATECOMM, a Tallahassee based Public Relations and Communications firm. She brings experience from her passion as a group fitness instructor, and prior career roles with Herff Jones as a Yearbook Specialist and Educator, Executive Director of the Leon County Responsible Decision-Making Coalition, Political Campaign Staff, and Director of The Florida Youth Delegation at The Florida Department of Education. She’s a graduate of Florida State University with a B.A. in Sociology, minor in Elementary Education, and holds a Certificate in Leadership Studies and Theories.

Amanda Hernandez, Program Assistant Amanda recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) and is pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Florida State University. She is a motivated social worker determined to bring services and support to diverse and underserved populations. She is a daughter of immigrant parents and is passionate about working alongside the immigrant population and women of color. Amanda believes in the power of education, hard work, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is excited to continue learning and bring support to all women/girls in the community while working alongside the CSWG!

Amy Yao Hou, CSWG Intern Amy is the 2023 Intern for the Tallahassee-Leon County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She is currently a senior at Florida State University majoring in Interdisciplinary Social Science, with concentrations in History and Geography, and a minor in Chemistry. As a previous healthcare worker at a local hospital’s Labor & Delivery OR, she was fortunate to not only help deliver more than 100 babies but also share those magical moments with the mothers. There were many wonderful experiences but some were unfortunate and disheartening, which helped shape her passion for women and girls issues. Amy witnessed a patient questioning what her placenta was, and that’s when she realized that proper, adequate, and accessible education and healthcare, to all women in our community is lacking. Through this internship, she’s excited to combine both past and present experiences with the CSWG to further expand support and awareness for accessible resources to all the women and girls!

Paisley Shumate-Lynch, Culture Consultant Paisley defies expectations with her unique role as a culture consultant for Oasis and the CSWG. With her fresh perspective and unwavering dedication, Paisley brings a refreshing and inclusive approach to her work. As a culture consultant, Paisley plays a vital role in promoting diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment within Oasis and the CSWG. Paisley’s passion for social justice and equity is evident in her work. She tirelessly advocates for the well-being of women and girls.

Outside of work, Paisley enjoys exploring different cultures through books, music, and food. She believes that continuous learning and exposure to diverse perspectives are essential for personal growth and understanding.