Meet Siera Bergeron

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Siera Bergeron a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Siera, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose through pain, perseverance, and people—especially one young woman named Ellie George. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I was serving as a resident assistant at Clemson University for the ClemsonLIFE program, which supports students with intellectual disabilities. I was assigned to mentor Ellie. I thought I’d be changing her life—but really, she changed mine.

At the time, I was silently battling deep depression. The isolation of COVID, combined with personal challenges, made it one of the darkest periods of my life. But every Friday, Ellie and I had our standing meetings. She showed up with joy, curiosity, and a light that I desperately needed. Knowing she was counting on me gave me the motivation to keep going. I owe her everything.

That experience opened my heart to the autism and neurodiverse community in a way I hadn’t expected. I saw firsthand how impactful support, structure, and belief in someone could be. That’s what led me to pursue Applied Behavior Analysis. I went on to earn my master’s, become a BCBA, and now I have the privilege of helping individuals find their voice and their independence every day.

But my journey didn’t stop there. I saw that many families affected by autism were struggling to meet basic needs—so I created Lyric’s Loft, a nonprofit that collects and distributes gently used clothing and essential items to those families. It started small, just me and a few donations, and now it’s expanded across five states.

Purpose isn’t something I found overnight. It was built in Friday meetings, quiet tears, and the courage to keep going. Ellie gave me hope when I had none—and now, I dedicate my life to paying that forward. One child, one family, one act of kindness at a time.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Professionally, I wear many hats—but at the core, I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) dedicated to empowering individuals with autism and their families. My work is rooted in compassion, evidence-based practice, and the belief that every person deserves the tools to communicate, grow, and thrive.

What I find most exciting about my role is the “aha” moments—the first time a child uses their AAC device to say “I want a hug,” or when a family tells me their child slept through the night for the first time in years. These victories may seem small to others, but in the world of ABA and autism, they are life-changing.

In addition to my clinical work, I’m the founder of Lyric’s Loft, a nonprofit that was born from a deep desire to support the families I serve beyond the therapy setting. I noticed that many caregivers struggled to afford essentials like clothing, toileting supplies, and sensory items, so I started a community-driven initiative to fill that gap. Since its launch, Lyric’s Loft has expanded into Arizona, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

What makes Lyric’s Loft special is that it’s built on community—run by volunteers, powered by donations, and grounded in empathy. We collect and distribute gently used clothing, toileting essentials, and household items to families of children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

We’re currently preparing for our biggest expansion yet: launching mobile drop-offs to reach underserved rural areas. We’re also organizing a holiday donation drive to ensure every child feels seen, celebrated, and supported—especially those with unique needs that traditional toy drives often overlook.

I want people to know that this work isn’t just my profession—it’s my purpose. I’ve walked through personal hardship, found healing through helping others, and now I’m building something I hope will make a lasting impact. Whether I’m in the therapy room or packing donation boxes, my mission remains the same: to create a more inclusive, supported, and compassionate world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Resilience carried me through the toughest parts of my life: being homeless, battling depression, and navigating my own diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. There were times when it would have been easier to give up, but I kept moving forward. Resilience isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build by showing up, even on the hard days. For those early in their journey, don’t be afraid to fail. Your strength grows every time you keep going, even when things feel heavy.

Empathy is the heartbeat of my work. As a BCBA, I don’t just see behavior—I see the human behind it. Being able to connect with families, meet clients where they are, and truly understand what they’re experiencing has been essential. If you want to grow in empathy, start by listening—really listening—to people’s stories without judgment. Let their perspective reshape yours.

Adaptability has helped me wear many hats and stay grounded in chaos. From working in homes, schools, and clinics to launching Lyric’s Loft, I’ve learned that flexibility is what keeps progress moving. Things rarely go as planned, especially in the world of autism and nonprofit work. To build adaptability, stay curious, ask questions, and don’t let unexpected detours shake your confidence. Sometimes the most meaningful paths are the ones you didn’t see coming.

My advice is to be patient with yourself. Invest in your emotional growth as much as your professional development. And find your “why,” the reason you wake up and do this work. When you find that, everything else falls into place.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Absolutely! I’m always looking to collaborate with individuals and organizations who share a heart for inclusion, autism awareness, and empowering underserved communities. Whether you’re a local business looking to give back, a fellow advocate with a shared mission, a special education professional, or someone with a passion for neurodiversity—you’re exactly who I want to connect with.

At Lyric’s Loft, we’re currently expanding into more communities and always need support in the form of donations, sponsorships, volunteers, and outreach partners. I also love partnering with schools, ABA clinics, and community centers for educational events, drives, and awareness campaigns.

If you’re reading this and feel inspired to get involved, please reach out! You can connect with me through Instagram @lyrics_loft__ or by our website www.lyricsloft.net. Collaboration is how we create real change—and I’d love to do it together.

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