Maine Children's Alliance Welcomes Ashley Montgomery to the Board of Directors
By Ashleigh Barker, Executive Director, Maine Children's Alliance
As Executive Director of the Maine Children’s Alliance (MCA), I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ashley Montgomery to our Board of Directors. Ashley brings more than two decades of leadership in education, student advocacy, and community engagement, experience that aligns directly with our mission to improve the lives of Maine’s children and families.
From our first conversation, it was evident that Ashley embodies the thoughtful, equity-centered leadership that drives meaningful change. Her career has focused on ensuring that educational and community systems genuinely support the young people they are designed to serve.
Ashley currently serves as Assistant Dean of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment at the University of Maine at Farmington. In this role, she leads initiatives to strengthen learning support, academic recovery, and equitable student outcomes, and oversees faculty development and the Academic Success Team. Her systems thinking, strategic planning, and student-centered approach consistently strengthen institutional effectiveness and long-term student success.
Her prior roles, from directing instructional technology during a period of rapid digital transformation to leading UMF’s Teaching & Learning Collaborative for more than a decade, demonstrate her talent for integrating innovation, policy, and compassion. She is also deeply experienced in building connections between K–12 and higher education, a perspective that complements MCA’s statewide advocacy work.
Ashley’s commitment to belonging, accessibility, and mental health is evident in her workshops, campus initiatives, and national presentations. Her focus on supporting the whole student mirrors MCA’s belief that children thrive when their full set of needs is understood and addressed.
Beyond higher education, Ashley has contributed significantly to community leadership, including service on the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area Board and its Executive and Allocations Committees, as well as work as Ethics Officer. Her experience in organizational integrity and community stewardship will be a meaningful asset to our board.
Ashley joins MCA at a critical moment. Families across Maine continue to navigate post-pandemic challenges, evolving educational needs, and persistent disparities. Her expertise in student support systems, data-informed decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration strengthens our ability to respond with clarity, purpose, and compassion. She will also help amplify the perspectives of older youth and young adults, voices that are essential to shaping Maine’s future but too often underrepresented in policy conversations.
We are thrilled to welcome Ashley Montgomery to the MCA Board of Directors. Her dedication, insight, and unwavering belief in the potential of every young person reflect the values that guide our work. Please join me in celebrating this important addition to our leadership team.