Melissa Ash

I am a curious, approachable, common-sense builder who is passionate about making a difference in the communities and cultures around me. With an eclectic background, I bring a jack-of-all-trades approach to the table making me ready to problem solve and solve problems (ask me the difference).

Curriculum Developer/Facilitator at Kentucky Youth Advocates (2025-09 – Present)

• Spearheads new training curriculum development from research and design through delivery.
• Facilitated pilot training for curriculum and received highly rated feedback; survey results reported 100% of participants either agreed or strongly agreed that 1) the training content was engaging and enlightening, 2) the trainer was knowledgeable and encouraged a space for learning, and 3) they walked away with new content/information which could be used in their day-to-day roles.

Executive Director of HR/Associate Dean of Administration (promoted from Instructor/Coach) at IIRP Graduate School (2022-02 – 2025-06)

• Realized $90k in annual institute savings and a 20% of increased employee capacity by categorizing and restructuring institute's job descriptions/responsibilities (approx. 65 employees) to align with new pay equity structures.
• Achieved a consistent projected initiative completion rate of 82% for institute's 5-year strategic plan, which embodied 4 institutional goals, 15 objectives, 52 initiatives, and over 400 milestones.
• Spearheaded 90% completion times on milestone tasks for international event planning efforts while also implementing process improvement efficiencies; staff reported more clarity and less confusion on responsibilities (98% of staff reported they understood their roles and how to deliver their tasks, up from 63% from previous years).
• Increased employee sense of community and belonging by 22% within first year by launching initiatives focused on workplace culture (over 95% of employees agreed or strongly agreed they felt a high sense of community and belonging at the IIRP, up from 70% the previous year).
• Increased the institute's employee retention rate during tenure, from 85% (FY 22) to 95% (FY 25).

Instructor/Coach at IIRP Graduate School (2022-02 – 2025-06)

• Developed and implemented competency-building trainings and new hire orientation sessions, inclusive of workplace climate and culture, DEIB, and leadership development.
• Launched facilitation of leadership development and professional growth curricula for all employees, achieving 100% employee attendance rate within 3 months of launch.

Assistant Director of Civic Leadership (promoted from Alternative School Break Advisor) at Lafayette College (2019-08 – 2022-01)

• Grew student participation in the Center by 20% serving over 30 local community partners, up from 21 partners from previous years.
• Within first year, launched two new community programs focused on supporting individuals with disabilities, still in effect today.
• Developed and executed Lafayette's inaugural Indigenous Awareness Week, which became one of the city's first partnerships between an educational entity and the people of the Lenape Nation of PA.
• Awards/Recognitions: Aaron O. Hoff Award 2020 Administrator of the Year; Aaron O. Hoff Award 2021 Nomination; 2020 Together from Admission to Graduation (TAG) Life-Long Influencer Award

Recruiter at Ideal Concepts (2019-05 – 2019-10)

Marketing Webinar/Virtual Trainer at PowerSchool (2018-01 – 2019-05)

Outreach Educator at Crime Victims Council (2017-03 – 2017-12)

Work Based Training Advisor at EDSI (2016-07 – 2017-03)

Business Development/Project Coordinator at Lutron Electronics, Inc. (2013-03 – 2015-11)

Master of Science in Restorative Practices – International Institute for Restorative Practices (2018)

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – University of Kentucky (2011)