Speaker
Ashlea Turner is the Chief Governmental Relations and Strategy Officer for the Houston Independent School District (HISD)—the seventh largest school district in the country and the largest in Texas. As the head of government relations, Ashlea oversees local, state and federal public policy initiatives for over 215,000 students and 287 campuses.
Ashlea has passed critical legislation in support of public education, including bills related to dual enrollment and school finance. During her time at HISD, she and her legislative team saved or brought back about $250 million in state and federal funds to the District.
Ashlea is a native Houstonian and a product of HISD schools and is a recipient of the Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Award, which is given to young leaders making significant contributions to the Houston community.
She is a proud graduate of Stanford University and completed an Executive Education program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. She is also a member of Leadership Houston Class XXXII, the Mayor’s Plan Houston Steering Committee and a board member for One Voice Texas.