Staff member honored by Georgia State House
April 18, 2018
Since graduating from Georgia Southern University in 2014, Annalee Ashley has followed the path toward a career in public service. Her latest milestone – acceptance into the 40-member inaugural Miller Leadership Academy Class. The program, launched by the Miller Institute Foundation, prepares young professionals for careers in public service. The Academy is based on a leadership class taught by former Georgia Gov. Zell Miller – the namesake of the Miller Institute Foundation.
“The class is made up of an accomplished group of young professionals from all across the state, and I feel honored to be a part of it,” Ashley said. “I have built great friendships through the experience and have learned valuable lessons from the life and legacy of Gov. Miller, passed on by those who knew him best.”
Before joining the Georgia Southern staff, the business marketing major worked on Capitol Hill in the Executive Office of the Secretary of the Senate. Currently, she is the State and Federal Government Affairs Director in the Office of the Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs.
“I am the liaison between Georgia Southern and state and federal government entities,” Ashley explained. “My role is to effectively communicate Georgia Southern’s competencies and priorities to policy makers and to position the institution for growth and partnership opportunities.”
The Miller Leadership Academy consists of five weekend summits across Georgia designed to help participants become effective leaders and decision makers. The first one was held in Athens in January with the launch of the program that ends in October. The four remaining summits will be held in Macon, Augusta, Columbus, and Savannah.
During the recent Georgia General Assembly, Ashley was honored with a House resolution that recognized her as one of the best and brightest young professionals in Georgia, and commended her for her outstanding contributions as a citizen and leader. It was sponsored by District 114 State Rep. Tom Kirby, District 159 State Rep. Jon Burns, District 160 State Rep. Jan Tankersley and District 158 State Rep. Butch Parrish. Ashley said it was one of the most thoughtful gifts she has ever received and one that she will be able to hold onto forever.
“Grateful and honored doesn’t begin to describe it,” she said. “I have so enjoyed the friendships I have built across the state while being able to do what I love most, advocate for my alma mater. I have no idea where I will be in the future, but I can tell you that I truly enjoy public service and plan to continue to serve this great state in some capacity for many years to come.”
