Ashlee Adams has over 25 years of experience working in non-profit and education settings, focusing on youth development and family strengthening practices. Throughout her career Ashlee has had the fortunate opportunity to work for many youth development organizations in the Denver Metro area and has built lasting relationships. These organizations include: YMCA of Metro Denver; Colorado State University Denver 4-H; Denver Public Schools Discovery Link. While in these roles Ashlee served on the leadership board of the Colorado Afterschool Network (CAN) and the Denver Quality Afterschool Connection (DQUAC) and became a Weikart trainer for youth program quality.

While in her time as a youth development professional Ashlee saw the difference that after school programming had on youth. Providing creative outlets they did not have during the regular school day, an opportunity to explore new passions and ideas a packed school day did not allow. Many students, showing up to school just so they could come to afterschool; because that is what the data shows. Students involved in afterschool have better youth outcomes than students that do not. Ashlee also loves data.

For the last five years, Ashlee has taken her skills as grant writer from previous roles and is now the Director of Grant Management for Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Journalism from Colorado State University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver.