Climate Advocate. Neighbor. Mother.
Meet Maggie, serving you on Asheville City Council
I have a lifelong commitment to community service. I came to Asheville to study Environmental Policy and Economics at UNC-Asheville in 2002. Now I am raising a daughter with my husband, Chris Berthiaume. Our daughter is a middle schooler and has loved learning Spanish and making friends in our public schools. As a family, we enjoy riding bikes, paddling the beautiful rivers in WNC, and foraging for edible mushrooms. My connection to community service roots back to volunteering in shelters for the unhoused as a youth, to interning with the Asheville City Council as an undergrad to pilot a fare-free transit program.
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I am humbled and honored to have served on Asheville City Council since December 2022. I lead with collaboration and a commitment to getting things done—bringing people together, seeking everyone’s perspective, and turning good ideas into real progress for our community.
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During my first term, I've delivered results you can see throughout our city. I helped create the Rapid Engagement and Support Team (REST) for better public safety, expanded affordable housing options, raised pay for city workers, and secured funding for more shelter beds. I championed the $80 million bond package that voters approved in 2024 for parks, transportation, public safety, and housing. My early support for critical infrastructure projects like the North Fork spillway proved lifesaving during Hurricane Helene, and I've continued pushing for smart rebuilding efforts that make our community more resilient and sustainable.
I believe in making city government accessible and transparent. After every City Council meeting, I create "Rapid Recap" videos that break down complex issues in simple terms, helping neighbors stay informed and engaged. These social media posts have built trust between city hall and our neighborhoods, showing that local government can be both effective and easy to understand.
I chair the Planning, Economic Development, and Environment Committee of City Council and act as liaison to the following commissions: Planning and Zoning, Riverfront Redevelopment Commission, Multimodal Transportation, and the Sustainability Advisory Committee.​
As Asheville’s first Sustainability Director, I significantly reduced Asheville's carbon footprint while saving close to $1 million annually on the city’s energy bill. I also led the team to provide Ashevillians with the large blue recycling carts we have today, resulting in a 35% increase in recycling.
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Professionally, I build coalitions by consulting with national non-profits and foundations committed to equitably ending climate change. My leadership has resulted in over $5 million of new grant dollars to communities in the American South who work with their local government to address climate change equitably.
As a volunteer, I've served on several local boards and commissions, including Blue Ridge Public Radio, Asheville on Bikes, Asheville Multi-Modal Transportation Commission, and Buncombe County Environmental and Energy Stewardship Subcommittee. I completed the Racial Equity Institute training.
Ready to get involved? Follow my Rapid Recap videos on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to stay connected with what's happening at City Hall. You can find me @maggie4avl on Instagram and @maggieullman0 on TikTok. Whether you have questions about city issues, ideas for our community, or want to get more involved in local government, I'd love to hear from you.
Together, we can keep building a safe, affordable, and sustainable Asheville that works for everyone.