Mahala Turner serves as a Program Manager at AUCD, providing technical assistance to Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) training programs. Mahala is a dedicated advocate and educator with over 15 years of experience in the disability field.

Prior to joining AUCD, Mahala served as Family Liaison Specialist with the NC Department of Health and Human Services. In this role, she led family engagement initiatives and advised on best practices in family-centered care. Her previous work also includes Family Support with a local nonprofit where she provided education, resources and support to the local Down syndrome community. Mahala began her career as a special education teacher. She earned both her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in education from Jacksonville State University (Go Gamecocks!).

Mahala participated in the University of North Carolina LEND program in 2020 as a family fellow. Originally from Alabama, she now lives in Wake Forest, NC with her husband and 3 children. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, thrifting, outdoor walks, and Diet Coke.

ID: Woman in mid-forties with just above the shoulder silver/blonde hair. She is wearing eyeglasses with rectangular clear frames, earrings, and a white shirt with a black blazer. Her head is tilted slightly to her right.