Ashley Turner
San Diego,California
Summary
Governance professional with extensive experience directing board operations and enhancing election management. Skilled in stakeholder engagement and program delivery, facilitating over 20 professional development initiatives annually. Currently pursuing an MPA, specializing in public policy and equitable governance.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Governance Manager & DEI Specialist
San Diego County Bar Association
San Diego, CA
06.2023 - 01.2026
- Directed governance operations across the board, divisions, sections, and committees, aligning bylaws and policies with strategic priorities to support timely, compliant decision-making.
- Managed board and committee elections in Simply Voting, enhancing election administration and ensuring transparency and auditability.
- Prepared board packets, agendas, and meeting materials to keep leadership informed and decision-ready.
- Coordinated follow-through between meetings to ensure timely completion of action items and maintain accountability.
- Planned and facilitated over 20 professional development programs, workshops, and networking events annually, fostering engagement among legal professionals, law students, and community stakeholders.
- Built partnerships with law schools, attorneys, judges, and community organizations to expand engagement and program reach.
Operations Manager
Vanguard Legal Group, PC - Headquarters
San Diego, CA
02.2021 - 02.2023
- Supervised and coordinated team of 8+ employees to enhance workflow efficiency and ensure daily operational consistency.
- Owned vendor contracts, office supplies, and budget tracking; implemented new organizational systems that reduced administrative errors and improved operational consistency.
- Managed client intake, case file management, and scheduling processes to streamline service delivery and minimize administrative friction.
- Trained staff on office procedures, compliance standards, and client communication to reinforce consistency and accountability.
- Functioned as the key liaison connecting leadership, staff, and external partners to address issues and facilitate operations.
Legal Assistant
Vanguard Legal Group, PC - Headquarters
San Diego, CA
07.2019 - 02.2021
- Drafted, proofread, and prepared legal documents including wills, deeds, and contracts, ensuring accuracy and meeting deadlines.
- Coordinated communication among clients, attorneys, and notaries to facilitate legal processes and minimize delays.
- Conducted legal research using Zoho and LexisNexis, enhancing case preparation and improving client service.
- Maintained files, exhibits, affidavits, and correspondence to keep litigation materials organized and accessible.
Executive Assistant
The University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
03.2016 - 05.2017
- Coordinated calendars, appointments, and campus events for administrators and staff to ensure smooth operations.
- Prepared invoices, expense reports, and office communications while supporting outreach to prospective domestic and international students, enhancing program visibility.
- Resolved front-line inquiries and maintained accurate admissions and enrollment records to support students and faculty.
Sales Associate / Assistant Manager
ALDO
San Diego, CA
06.2017 - 08.2019
- Advanced from Sales Associate to Assistant Manager, coordinated scheduling, floor coverage, and stockroom organization while training staff to meet sales goals and maintain consistent customer service.
- Assisted customers with product selection and provided personalized recommendations.
- Managed inventory levels and restocked merchandise on the sales floor.
- Processed transactions accurately using point-of-sale systems.
Sales Advisor / Lead Cashier / Guest Relations
Forever 21
San Diego, CA
03.2014 - 11.2016
- Managed cash operations and daily reconciliations, acting as primary point of contact for customers and management to facilitate efficient store operations.
- Assisted customers in selecting trendy apparel and accessories.
- Provided styling advice to enhance customer shopping experience.
- Maintained visual merchandising standards in alignment with brand guidelines.
Education
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Public Administration
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA05-2028
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of San Diego
San Diego05-2021
Skills
- Board & Governance Administration
- Policy implementation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Strategic Planning
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Research and Policy Analysis
- Program Management
- Financial Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Team leadership
- Data Management Tools
- Digital Document Management
- Election Management Systems
- Zoho CRM
- LexisNexis
- Virtual Engagement Platforms
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- Appointed Committee Member, Governance, Executive, Legislative & Legal Ethics Committees, San Diego County Bar Association
- Appointed in June 2023 to serve on the Governance, Executive, Legislative, and Legal Ethics Committees in a separate volunteer/appointed role from my paid Governance Manager position. Supported board oversight, policy review, and ethics-related initiatives; prepared agendas and meeting materials; coordinated follow-through between meetings; and helped maintain continuity, accountability, and leadership alignment across committee work.
Timeline
Governance Manager & DEI Specialist
San Diego County Bar Association
06.2023 - 01.2026
Operations Manager
Vanguard Legal Group, PC - Headquarters
02.2021 - 02.2023
Legal Assistant
Vanguard Legal Group, PC - Headquarters
07.2019 - 02.2021
Sales Associate / Assistant Manager
ALDO
06.2017 - 08.2019
Executive Assistant
The University of San Diego
03.2016 - 05.2017
Sales Advisor / Lead Cashier / Guest Relations
Forever 21
03.2014 - 11.2016
Master of Public Administration (MPA) - Public Administration
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of San Diego