Ashley Gardner
Network Impact Coordinator
Email: ashley@healthycommunityinitiative.org
Joined the HCI team in 2024
Ashley is a longtime Rice County resident and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. She has both education and lived experience with mental health and substance use disorders (SUD). She brings a unique perspective to living with SUD and mental health issues and maintaining success, and she’s dedicated to educating and empowering community members on how to best support those affected.
Ashley is pursuing a social work degree and is seeking to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She has spent the last few years directly serving clients, most recently as a recovery advocate at the Community Action Center. Having served as a member of numerous Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition action teams, she is excited to serve in the new role of Network Impact Coordinator.
As Network Impact Coordinator, Ashley convenes meetings and brings community partners together to address gaps in chemical and mental health supports.
Ashley’s favorite part about her job is working with incredible people who share her dedication to serving the community.