Amanda is a homegrown Virginian who grew up in Hampton Roads, graduating from Green Run High School in Virginia Beach. She began attending Kempsville Christian Church as a child, where she still attends as a lifelong member. From her first job in fast food, she embraced hard work and responsibility to afford to attend college at James Madison University. Shortly thereafter sparked her interest in public service when she was the victim of an armed robbery at that same fast food job.

While working towards her degrees in Mathematics and Justice Studies at JMU, Amanda funded her education working as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, further fueling her passion in public service. Her determination to succeed landed her a Public Safety Scholarship to attend law school at Regent University.

In law school Amanda worked at a local gun range, where she met her husband, Brandon, who serves the City of Chesapeake as a firefighter and paramedic. 

After interning with the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and Coast Guard Legal Services Command, Amanda went on to serve the City of Chesapeake as a prosecutor under the Honorable Nancy G. Parr. During her time as a prosecutor, she worked diligently to achieve justice for victims as she tackled a variety of felony and misdemeanor offenses.

Now, she practices civil litigation, criminal and traffic law, and estate planning at Chesapeake small business, Shannon & Associates, PC. Amanda’s professional career has earned her the distinction as a top lawyer by Coastal Virginia Magazine and she was recognized by the Virginia State Bar for her significant service to the profession. She is also featured on the cover and published in the Virginia Lawyer's Magazine.

In addition to her chosen profession in the practice of law, Amanda’s heart for service is evident while serving on boards such as the Chesapeake Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber; Women’s Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber-Chesapeake; Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer’s Conference; Chesapeake Bar Association; Portsmouth Humane Society and ABBA List.

Amanda enjoys volunteering in her community with Buffalow Family and Friends, serving food and toiletries to her neighbors throughout Chesapeake. Amanda and her husband, Brandon, have two fur children, Tucker and Charlie, and the two enjoy opening their home to shelter pets, serving as volunteers and fosters with several local shelters.