Ashley Evans-Smith has been named Area President of Junior Achievement of West Kentucky, effective September 16. After experience serving the youth in the community through her work with local nonprofits, she looks forward to continuing those efforts in the new position.
As Area President of the local Junior Achievement office, Evans-Smith will oversee staff and volunteers who manage the organization’s work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy programs that currently reach more than 20,000 K-12 students in the 25-county service area.
“Both the depth of the impact on children and breadth of the service area of Junior Achievement of West Kentucky are inspiring,” Evans-Smith said. “I previously had the opportunity to be a part of an organization whose mission is changing the lives of children and I am excited by the opportunity to continue to do so in a different way through JA.”
Evans-Smith currently serves as the executive director of CASA of Ohio Valley, a role she has held since 2021. She previously served as program manager and training manager with the organization.
As she prepares to take the helm at JA, she said the goal is to ensure that as many students as possible have access to the organization’s curriculum.
“I look forward in particular to ensuring underserved populations throughout the service area have the opportunity to experience the life-changing impact of Junior Achievement,” Evans-Smith said. “The economic realities, culture, opportunities, and challenges in our communities have changed dramatically over the last several years. JA empowers the young people in its programs to use the skills they’ve learned to meet these challenges head-on and work toward achieving the high ideals they have for themselves. Our communities benefit when children embrace their potential and commit to their futures and JA plays an essential part in enabling them to do so.”
Evans-Smith said she’s grateful for the opportunity she’s had to work with the CASA of Ohio Valley Board of Directors, volunteers, and staff. She added that she’s thankful to the JA Board of Directors for the privilege of building relationships there.
Allison Ross, controller at Metalsa and chairman of the board of directors for JA of West KY, said Evans-Smith’s experience will be invaluable to the organization.
“We are pleased to have her leading our strategic operations. The connectivity, relationships, engagement, and leadership she will provide will help ensure the future success of JA in the west Kentucky market area.”
Evans-Smith was named one of Owensboro’s 40 Under 40 in 2023 and was a member of the 2023 Leadership Owensboro class and 2019 Elevate Kentucky class. She is a founding board member of Care for Children, serves as a volunteer for the International Center, and is a member of Impact 100 and Junior League. Evans-Smith also served on the Race and Community Child Welfare – Equity in Foster Care/Adoptions Committee and previously served as a medical advocate with Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center.
