Ashley Walden-Davis.
May 26, 2020
It is with deep gratitude, respect, and love that we announce that Ashley Walden Davis is transitioning off the Alternate ROOTS staff. As of today, May 26 she will begin a new role as Catalyzing Capital, Program Officer for the Center for Cultural Innovation’s funding initiative, AmbitioUS. We full-heartedly congratulate and support Ashley as she moves into this new chapter, one that is deeply aligned with the same core values that made her work here at ROOTS so impactful.
In her seven years as a member of the ROOTS staff, Ashley wore many hats, implemented many new programs, and developed key systems and structures that have provided the stable organizational foundation we are thriving on today. Since joining the team in 2013, she has served as Programs Director, Managing Director, and Director of Strategic Partnerships. She launched the Partners in Action program and co-launched the ROOTS Weekend series, and provided her steady hand to the 2018 Executive Director search and transition. In the last four months alone, in collaboration with the staff, Ashley oversaw the launch of the Solidarity Fund, implemented the Partners for Change selection process and planning, initiated the Greenhouse (coming soon!), and planned for the Partners in Action reunion and evaluation, all the while supporting ROOTS’ increased fundraising efforts during the onset of the pandemic.
ROOTS Staff Retreat January, 2019. Photo by Melisa Cardona.
Far beyond what she did, or what title she held at ROOTS, Ashley left her mark in how she showed up to serve. Ashley’s vibrant energy, incredible work ethic, enthusiastic visioning, and generous and joyful spirit will be deeply missed on staff. ROOTS’ Executive Director, Michelle Ramos has this to say of her: “There aren’t enough thank you’s in the world to adequately offer to Ashley for her leadership, sharp mind, and the impact she had – and will continue to have – on our organization, staff, and our entire beloved community. This team member leaving our nest is an especially difficult one, but we embrace her, celebrate her, and look forward to bearing witness to her manifesting her dreams for herself and her family with joy and an abundance of love!”
As a forward-looking and meticulous planner, Ashley has left a strong blueprint for the work she directed, and we are confident it will be carried out well. We are also thrilled that Ashley will still be part of the ROOTS community as a member.
In a letter to the ROOTS’ membership, Ashley shared: “The past seven years have been absolutely rewarding. And I have loved working alongside the members and developed many close bonds with you. I am grateful for the growth opportunities that ROOTS has provided me and how the community of ROOTers has aided in my success. ROOTS has forever changed me and I will carry all you have taught me moving forward.”
To Ashley we say: you have forever changed ROOTS, and we will carry forward all you have taught us. Thank you for all you have dreamed, done, and championed during the past seven years. You will be deeply missed, and we love and appreciate you always.