In the last few months, we’ve shared more about our strategic roadmap and how it helps us best support nonprofits – the ones helping improve the social emotional health of children right here in Wake County. As part of this work, we updated some of our positions and have been busy hiring the right team members to drive our mission forward.

We’re thrilled to announce that Ashley Ahlers has joined the JRE team as the new director of partnerships and communications!

In this role, Ashley will lead: 

• JRE’s overall communications strategy, ensuring we’re sharing the most important messages with you, our grantees, partners and fellow advocates. 
• Our day-to-day communications – you’ll hear from her (and us!) through this newsletter, social media, the articles we write and share, at conferences and more. 
• A lot of our philanthropic partnerships, ensuring we’re working with like-minded leaders and advocates to advance our mission. 

Ashley brings a wealth of advocacy expertise to JRE. She’s served as a director at United Way of the Greater Triangle, Compass Center for Women and Families, and Dress for Success Triangle NC. 

Ashley is deeply committed to community involvement. She currently serves as a board member at Deeds for Deeds, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, advancing and assisting with homeownership for people of all income levels in our community. Recently, she also joined the Board of Trustees at Duke School in Durham.

She’s been actively involved in Leadership Triangle, both as a participant and a peer mentor. She has also been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since 2006 and has held various positions within the Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter, including serving on the board of the Ivy Community Center. 

“When we reimagined this role, we knew we wanted to hire someone with deep communications experience – but also someone who understands our community, who is energized by building more partnerships, who is passionate about our racial justice focus,” said Kellan Moore, JRE president and CEO. “Ashley embodies all of this and much more. We’re excited to work with her and drive our mission forward.”

In addition to her nonprofit expertise, Ashley also brings a sharp legal mind to the team from her time as assistant district attorney. 

When asked what she’s most excited about as she joins JRE, Ashley shared: “With great enthusiasm, I look forward to joining JRE, where I will have the opportunity to work with amazing individuals and contribute to the extraordinary commitment to systemic change.”

In her free time, Ashley enjoys audiobooks and podcasts, brunch, and laughing with her kids and husband. 

Please join us in welcoming Ashley to the team!