Alonna and the First State
Alonna Berry is a dedicated public servant and experienced leader who has spent her career working at the intersection of government, education, and community advocacy.
A resident of Sussex County, Alonna lives in Milton with her husband and their two sons. She is running for the Delaware House of Representatives to be a strong, principled voice for District 20—focused on creating opportunity for every family to thrive, now and in the future.
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Alonna comes from a long line of veterans and public servants. Her father retired from the United States Air Force, and her husband is a U.S. Army veteran.
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She herself served two years as an AmeriCorps service member. Since then, she has contributed her time and leadership to a range of nonprofit boards and local initiatives across Delaware, including the Milton Historical Society, Delaware Guidance Services, the Youth Philanthropy Board, and Next Generation South. She currently serves as the Governor’s appointee to the Delaware Community Foundation board.
Alonna is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Alonna’s leadership and dedication have been recognized across Delaware. She was honored with the MillSummit Spur Impact Award and the Sussex County Health Coalition Community Partner Award in 2021. In 2020, she was named one of Delaware Business Times' 40 Under 40. She received the Jefferson Award for Public Service for the Delmarva region, highlighting her commitment to building stronger, more connected communities through service and advocacy.​
Achievements in Education
Alonna is the founder of The Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence, a service-learning charter school focused on leadership development and educational equity. From concept to opening, she led the school’s mission, governance, and strategic planning. Her commitment to youth, families, and justice is reflected in her ongoing service on nonprofit boards and leadership councils across Delaware, including a gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Community Foundation.
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Alonna is a doctoral candidate at Wilmington University. She holds graduate credentials in organizational leadership and innovation from Wilmington University and the University of Pennsylvania, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. Alonna serves as President of the Syracuse University Alumni Association Board and is a member of the university’s Board of Trustees.
Alonna's Professional Life
She served in the Office of Governor John Carney as the Director of Community and Family Services and as Senior Policy Advisor for Health, Equity, and Education—positions in which she helped shape policies to improve the lives of Delaware families. Alonna was also appointed as the state’s first Statewide Trauma-Informed Care Coordinator, leading efforts across agencies to better support children, families, and communities through more compassionate, responsive public services.
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Throughout her public service, Alonna focused on building systems that are more equitable, effective, and grounded in the real needs of Delawareans. She worked closely with local leaders, nonprofits, and state agencies to strengthen public education, advance health equity, and support families facing complex challenges.
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Currently, Alonna serves as Executive Director of the Delaware Center for Justice (DCJ), a nonprofit with more than a century of advancing equity and justice in Delaware. In this role, she leads strategic efforts to promote criminal justice reform, restorative practices, and community-based solutions that keep Delawareans safe and supported.​​​
