ASHIYA BROWN
Lansing
Summary
Visionary leader with over 13 years of experience in government and nonprofit sectors, focusing on democracy protection and election security. Registered lobbyist in Michigan with a successful history of managing grant portfolios and advancing policy priorities through strategic partnerships. Expertise in national program strategy and political analysis, fostering impactful collaborations across government levels. Skilled in developing and implementing strategies that strengthen democratic processes.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Michigan State Director
All Voting is Local - Michigan
05.2023 - Current
- Lead execution of statewide strategy to protect and expand voting access, aligning programmatic work with broader organizational and national priorities
- Oversee a portfolio of strategic initiatives focused on election protection, voter education, and democracy defense, ensuring alignment with impact goals
- Serve as a registered lobbyist in the State of Michigan, advancing legislative and policy strategies related to election administration and voting rights
- Managed and strengthened partnerships within political and democracy ecosystem, including advocacy organizations, government stakeholders, and national networks to enhance collaborative efforts
- Collaborate with national partners to support cross-state election protection strategy, including coordination with the Election Sabotage Response Network
- Convened and led statewide coalitions, aligned partners around shared priorities to facilitate coordinated actions
- Tracked political and legislative developments, synthesized insights to inform strategic adjustments and guide organizational response
- Represent the organization in external engagements, strengthening relationships and advancing strategic objectives
Election Security Specialist (Specialist 14)
Michigan Department of State - Bureau of Elections
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Led development and implementation of Michigan's statewide election security strategy, supporting local election officials and strengthening system resilience
- Managed and supported the strategic deployment of over $20 million in Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding, ensuring compliance, impact tracking, and alignment with federal and state priorities
- Built and maintained partnerships with federal agencies including DHS, FBI, and CISA, strengthening coordination and information sharing
- Conducted statewide security assessments using NIST-based frameworks, translating findings into specific improvements for local jurisdictions
- Developed and delivered training programs for local election officials on cybersecurity, risk mitigation, and incident response, enhancing their preparedness for potential threats
- Presented at national conferences and convenings, contributing to broader election security and democracy protection efforts
- Advised senior leadership and 83 county clerks, synthesizing complex information to inform decision-making and support effective policy implementation
Departmental Specialist (State Lead - Federal Audits)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Coordinated federal audits for contracted Medicaid health plans, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and maintaining program integrity
- Managed audit processes and reporting while coordinating cross-team efforts to achieve successful audit outcomes
- Managed case documentation and ensured compliance with health regulations.
- Coordinated care plans and resources for clients in need of assistance.
- Evaluated client needs and provided support through various programs.
Senior Analyst (Systems & Operations)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Administered CHAMPS (Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System), managing access, security roles, and user permissions to ensure secure and efficient operations.
- Collaborated with IT and program teams to enhance system functionality and service delivery
- Maintained system integrity and supported operational performance across internal and external stakeholders
Analyst (Systems & Operations)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Conducted system analysis and testing, producing reports to enhance Medicaid program effectiveness
- Supported user acceptance testing, facilitating system enhancements and user satisfaction
- Assisted in ensuring compliance and data accuracy, contributing to reliable state system operations
Education
MBA - Business Administration and Management
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ05-2012
Bachelor of Arts - Integrative Public Relations
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI05-2008
Juris Doctor - Completed 18 credit hours of coursework
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Lansing, MISkills
- Government relations
- Legislative strategy
- Legislative analysis
- Policy advocacy
- Electoral Process Oversight
- Strategy execution
- Grantmaking management
- Partnership development
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Program management
- Program Impact Assessment
- Team Leadership & Operations
- Public Relations Strategy
- Strategy execution
Certification
- Registered Lobbyist - State of Michigan
- Notary Public - State of Michigan
- VAN Certified
- Defending Democracy Bootcamp - Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Center
Additional Leadership Experience
- Election Co-Chair, Ingham County (Multi-Year)
- Extensive experience working directly with local election officials across Michigan
- National presenter on election security and administration
- Published op-eds and media commentary; media trained with press experience
Timeline
Michigan State Director
All Voting is Local - Michigan
05.2023 - Current
Election Security Specialist (Specialist 14)
Michigan Department of State - Bureau of Elections
01.2019 - 01.2023
Departmental Specialist (State Lead - Federal Audits)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
01.2018 - 01.2019
Senior Analyst (Systems & Operations)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
01.2017 - 01.2018
Analyst (Systems & Operations)
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
01.2014 - 01.2016
MBA - Business Administration and Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Arts - Integrative Public Relations
Central Michigan University
Juris Doctor - Completed 18 credit hours of coursework
Thomas M. Cooley Law School