Ashley Coone is a passionate advocate for children of all ages, especially those from asset-limited families in her hometown of DeSoto County. She has a wealth of experience in government, education, non-profit management and more. Ashley has built a network of relationships with business and non-profit leaders, donors, and policy makers. As Chief Executive Officer of Ashley Coone Consulting, she works with a variety of clients providing consulting services for strategic planning, initiative/project management, community building, legislative advocacy and more.
Ashley was appointed to the DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners by Governor Ron DeSantis in May 2021. She has previously served as DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Executive Director of the DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce, and in the Office of Congressman Connie Mack. Ashley has also received gubernatorial appointments to the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees, the Florida Board of Ethics and as Chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland.
Ashley is the co-founder and Executive Director of Links2Success, a nonprofit organization in DeSoto County that provides free college and career readiness programs to middle and high school students. She also serves on the Board of Directors for All Star Children’s Foundation and The Smith Brown Community Foundation. Ashley spearheaded the Smith Brown Project, a capital renovation initiative that restored the historic Smith Brown Gym and established the very first Boys & Girls Club in DeSoto County. The Ashley Coone Pavilion at the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club is named in honor of her efforts to bring the project to fruition. Ashley earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Florida Gulf Coast University. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University. Ashley is a proud member of Leadership Florida’s Connect Class VI.