Haley Ashcom
Cranberry Township,PA
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, The Opportunity Project, Census Open Innovation Labs
U.S. Census Bureau
07.2022 - 01.2025
- Served as program director responsible for overall execution of The Opportunity Project (TOP), a widely recognized federal open data and innovation program that engages government, technologists, and communities in collaborative tech development sprints to create digital tools with open data
- To date, thousands of individuals, hundreds of organizations, and more than 30 federal agencies have participated in TOP
- TOP has catalyzed more than 230 digital tools and products, including apps, websites, AI algorithms, interactive maps, data visualizations, games, and more.
- Set strategic direction for the program, including: program improvement, risk management, alignment with agency and government-wide priorities, cross-sector stakeholder engagement, determination of priority themes and topics, budgeting, and program expansion.
- Collaborated with inter-agency partners to curate Federal open data related to important issues facing the American public
- Managed executive communication to cabinet-level and senior White House officials
- Represented the Census Bureau in media interviews on the program
- Managed a team of federal employees and contractors on program workflow
- Trained new staff to become increasingly autonomous in running the program to support long term growth strategy
- Managed quantitative and qualitative program outcome measures
Senior Enterprise Innovation Advisor, Census Open Innovation Labs
U.S. Census Bureau
03.2022 - 01.2025
- Developed, managed, and advised on open innovation programs for the Census Open Innovation Labs (COIL)
- Served as project manager on multiple portfolios including Data Equity, Innovation Culture Lab, StatVentures, and The Opportunity Project
- Maintained stakeholder relationships with leaders in the technology and creative industries, civic tech and open data organizations, universities, social impact organizations, and other peers in federal, state, and local governments and NGOs
- Advised on implementation of innovative methodologies, such as human-centered design and design-thinking methodology, within bureau-wide and government-wide programs and projects
- Represented the U.S. Census Bureau at national events and conferences
Lead Communications Strategist, Census Open Innovation Labs
U.S. Census Bureau
11.2020 - 07.2022
- Developed and implemented communication strategies and information programs for the Census Open Innovation Labs and its 15+ civic-tech initiatives
- Devised optimal communications strategies to reach target audiences
- Managed internal communications including production and management of newsletters, media relations materials, social media content, and blog content for both internal blog platforms and external platforms within the federal innovation network
- Crafted knowledgeable and engaging periodicals web content and CIO presentations
- Proofread and revised effective marketing and promotional communications collateral
- Strategized additional mediums for communications, impact metrics, and future innovative initiatives with high ROI
Intergovernmental Portfolio Manager, National Partnership Program
U.S. Census Bureau
03.2018 - 11.2020
- Served as Portfolio Manager of all national intergovernmental stakeholders in support of the National Partnership Program for the 2020 Census; the decennial Census is the largest federal program outside of wartime within the U.S. Government
- Responsibilities included program management, correspondence, logistical planning, and execution of workshops, presentations, and media publications with these 75+ organizations and their audiences
Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
U.S. Census Bureau
11.2016 - 11.2020
- Performed program support in the coordination of information disseminated to Congressional and Intergovernmental offices concerning Census Bureau programs and activities
- Served as sole Account Manager of 75+Intergovernmental stakeholders in support of the National Partnership branch
- Responsibilities included correspondence, logistical planning, and execution of workshops, presentations, and media publications with these national organizations and their audiences
- Assisted in the development of charts and fact sheets for inclusion in briefing materials, press releases, newsletters and other mediums used by Members of Congress and other federal, state, local and tribal government officials
- Explained both verbally or in writing, complex technical information relating to Census surveys, data and programs in an organized and concise manner so that it can be understood by a variety of audiences
- Reviewed legislative issues and current trends in federal, state, local and tribal governments and the private sector
Junior Analyst, Defense Procurement Acquisition Policy, OUSD AT&L, BAI Inc
U.S. Department of Defense
03.2016 - 11.2016
- Served as Junior Analyst/EA supporting the Program Acquisition and Contingency Contracting (PACC) Directorate
- Managed official coordination of Defense Policies and Issuances
- Interacted daily with senior-level officials and military personnel to analyze various programs and weapons systems and coordinate potential programs for acquisition purposes
Recruitment Officer / Director of Interns and Fellows, Office of Graduate Recruitment
The Institute of World Politics
08.2014 - 03.2016
- Served as primary Recruitment Officer in the Office of Graduate Recruitment and was responsible for the outreach and cultivation of potential graduate students
- Responsibilities included: planning, coordination, and execution of recruiting events around the country at various universities, conventions and political institutions, extensive formulation of communications directed at students and faculty intended to cultivate interest and referrals, and management/expertise of databases and communication programs to ensure proper record keeping
- Served as intern director for 10-15 interns each semester and completed tasks such as: hiring, interviewing, organization of networking events, mentoring to aid in professional and personal development, direct referrals, and scheduling
Civilian Research Assistant, U.S. Army War College Fellowship
The Institute of World Politics
08.2013 - 08.2014
- Served as primary research assistant/intern working 30-35 hours per week while enrolled as full-time undergraduate senior
- Compiled research/analysis of case studies, journal articles, interviews, and various other forms of open source intelligence for publications
- Successful in building interpersonal relations with a diverse group of individuals, enhancing teamwork skills, developing leadership and management skills, and perfecting time-management skills
Education
MS - Psychology of Leadership
The Pennsylvania State University
04.2025
MA - Statecraft and National Security Affairs
The Institute of World Politics
12.2016
BA - Global Affairs
George Mason University
12.2014
Skills
- Portfolio management
- Program management
- Project management
- Government relations
- Legislative affairs
- State, local, and tribal government affairs
- Public policy
- User experience (UX)
- Customer experience (CX)
- Human-centered design
- Strategic communications
- Marketing
- Search engine optimization
- Social media content creation
- Public speaking
- Event planning
- Advanced writing
- Stakeholder management
Professional Roles And Certifications
- Graduate Certificate in Project Management, Colorado State University Global Campus
- PMP Certification, 05/2024
- Certification in Human-Centered Design, U.S. Census Bureau
- Online Training in State-Level Legislation, National Conference of State Legislators, 50+
- Certification in 'The Intersector Process', National League of Cities University
Honors And Awards
- Department of Commerce Bronze Award, for Innovation through The Opportunity Project, 01/2024
- Department of Commerce Bronze Award, for Innovation through The Opportunity Project, 01/2023
- Department of Commerce Bronze Award, for Innovation through TOP Demo Week, 01/2020
- Department of Commerce Bronze Award, for exceptional Census 2020 partnership coordination, 01/2020
- Full Academic Scholarship, to the The Institute of World Politics, 08/2014 - 05/2016
- Global Politics Honors Fellowship, 08/2013 - 05/2014
- George Mason University Honors College, 08/2010 - 05/2014
- Academic Scholarship, to George Mason University, 08/2010 - 05/2014
- Sigma Iota Rho, International Affairs Honors Fraternity
Timeline
Director, The Opportunity Project, Census Open Innovation Labs
U.S. Census Bureau
07.2022 - 01.2025
Senior Enterprise Innovation Advisor, Census Open Innovation Labs
U.S. Census Bureau
03.2022 - 01.2025
Lead Communications Strategist, Census Open Innovation Labs
U.S. Census Bureau
11.2020 - 07.2022
Intergovernmental Portfolio Manager, National Partnership Program
U.S. Census Bureau
03.2018 - 11.2020
Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs
U.S. Census Bureau
11.2016 - 11.2020
Junior Analyst, Defense Procurement Acquisition Policy, OUSD AT&L, BAI Inc
U.S. Department of Defense
03.2016 - 11.2016
Recruitment Officer / Director of Interns and Fellows, Office of Graduate Recruitment
The Institute of World Politics
08.2014 - 03.2016
Civilian Research Assistant, U.S. Army War College Fellowship
The Institute of World Politics
08.2013 - 08.2014
MS - Psychology of Leadership
The Pennsylvania State University
MA - Statecraft and National Security Affairs
The Institute of World Politics
BA - Global Affairs
George Mason University
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