Meet Ashley, Arete's New Vice President of Development

We are excited to welcome Ashley to the Arete Scholars team as our new Vice President of Development. In this newly created role, Ashley will lead efforts to grow philanthropic support and expand the opportunities available to students and families served by Arete.

Ashley brings a deep passion for education, youth development, and creating pathways for student success. She earned her bachelor's degree from Furman University—where she met her husband—and later completed her MBA at Charleston Southern University.

What excites Ashley most about joining Arete is the opportunity to help expand educational opportunities for students and families.

"Youth development and education have always been a passion of mine, and the chance to support students in such a meaningful way is incredibly rewarding," she said. "I'm also energized by the people at Arete. The team is talented, passionate, and deeply committed to the mission. I'm excited to learn, grow, and work alongside such a great group as we help create more opportunities for young people to succeed."

Ashley believes strongly in Arete's mission because she has personally experienced the impact that invested mentors, supporters, and organizations can have on a young person's future.

"My husband and I are both beneficiaries of individuals and organizations that poured into us during our formative years, opening doors and creating opportunities that helped shape our futures," Ashley shared. "Joining Arete is especially meaningful because it allows me to help create those same opportunities for others and, in many ways, pay forward the investments that were made in us."

One of the most interesting facts about Ashley? In third grade, she appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno after inventing a doorbell answering machine—essentially an early version of what we now know as a Ring doorbell.

We're thrilled to have Ashley on the team and look forward to the impact she'll make as we continue working to help students thrive through educational opportunity.