Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

M. Ashley Donahoo

Pace

Summary

Passionate and dedicated professional with nearly 10 years of comprehensive experience at Pace Center, working across multiple departments including Academic (as both a teacher and administrator), Social Services, and Development/Fundraising. My deep commitment to the mission of Pace and the success of our incredible girls has driven my work and fueled my impactful leadership throughout the organization.

Over the years, I’ve built strong, trusting relationships with staff, students, board members, community partners, and donors, working collaboratively to ensure the success of our initiatives and programs. My ability to engage and inspire others has been recognized time and time again, particularly as a dynamic speaker who can move and motivate audiences with the stories of our work and the passion I have for Pace.

With a well-rounded perspective on the inner workings of the organization and a track record of success in both operational and fundraising efforts, I am excited about the opportunity to step into the role of Executive Director, knowing that while growth and learning are key to success, I am fully capable of absorbing new challenges and leading the center to even greater heights. My experience, adaptability, and passion for Pace make me uniquely prepared to take on this responsibility, drive strategic initiatives, and continue fostering a culture of excellence. I'm committed to both personal and organizational growth, and eager to lead with impact, ensuring the continued success and growth of our mission.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Development Director (Promoted From Manager)

Pace Center for Girls
08.2023 - Current
  • Planned, organized, and executed multiple fundraising events in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, increasing the number of events from two to four year-over-year.
  • Cultivated relationships with community, business, and civic leaders to raise awareness of the Pace Center for Girls and attract new donors, volunteers, and partnerships.
  • Collaborated with the Executive Director to research and write grant narratives, compile necessary data and documents, assist in the development of grant proposals for submission, and ensure compliance with funder requirements through timely reporting.
  • Created and managed engaging fundraising materials for social media, websites, and mass mailings to support donor outreach and campaign success, aligning content with National Office guidelines while integrating center-specific updates and community trends.
  • Maintained and updated the organization's social media accounts and website with fresh, impactful content to engage current and potential supporters.
  • Streamlined event operations through the implementation of an online digital platform, managing ticket sales, sponsorships, auctions, guest registration, and data collection, while enhancing guest experience and improving financial reporting.
  • Developed compelling case statements and donor appeals, delivering presentations, tours, and visits to potential partners to highlight the impact of organizational programs.
  • Established and managed a donor database system, improving record-keeping accuracy and communication efficiency.
  • Presented regular project updates in Development Department and Board meetings, ensuring timely progress and addressing key objectives and concerns.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors and service providers to support event planning and fiscal goals.
  • Mentored and supported the Community Engagement Manager, helping her grow into overseeing volunteers, interns, and other community engagement initiatives.
  • Engaged donors and partners through special events, tours, and presentations that showcased Pace’s mission and programs.
  • Collaborated with team members across departments, leveraging 15+ years of experience in Academic and Social Services to foster a cohesive team dynamic and support the Executive Director in advancing development goals and operational success.

Transition Counselor

Pace Center for Girls
10.2021 - 08.2023
  • Manage Transitions Department in providing guidance to all transitioned students for a minimum of 1-year post-transition
  • Responsible for all Transition Department documentation in compliance with National, state, and regional requirements
  • Complete ongoing psychoanalytical and needs assessments and documentation to determine students' strengths and needs, goals, and barriers, and mental and physical health
  • Conduct various psychoanalytical assessments including personality profiles, aptitude tests, and interest surveys to provide career counseling and post-secondary planning
  • Create, promote, and foster partnerships with community partners, board members, supporters, and related agencies
  • Conduct multiple weekly psycho-educational groups that are student-centered, focusing on social-emotional education, coping skills, mental health, career planning and development, and life skills development

School Counselor

Florida Cyber Charter Academy
08.2020 - 05.2021

School Counselor

Santa Rosa County School District
08.2019 - 12.2019
  • Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
  • Delivered supportive and data-driven counseling to students with academic or personal concerns.
  • Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational goals and outcomes
  • Empowered and educated students through individual/ group counseling and skill-building exercises
  • Collaborated with parents, school faculty and social workers to address problems and grow student success (including creating individualized education plans for students with special needs)

Resource Specialist

Pace Center for Girls
08.2018 - 08.2019
  • Implemented strategies to increase student recruiting, engagement, and retention
  • Conferred with counselors and teaching staff to obtain additional testing information and to gain insight on student behavioral disorders affecting learning process; implements instructional strategies based on individual learning styles
  • Prepared and administered required standardized state and local testing
  • Uphold HIPAA, FLDOE, DJJ, and corporate regulations and standards for protecting student information and developed organizational system for record keeping

Social Studies Teacher/ Academic Adviser

Pace Center For Girls
08.2015 - 08.2018
  • Received highest course completion, retention, and graduation rates in Academic Department for 3 years consecutively
  • Prepared individualized daily goals for each student based on progress, scores, ability, IEP, etc
  • Delivered exceptional Classroom Management skills daily using Trauma-Informed, Strength Based, and Gender Responsive training, communication, guidance, and support
  • Developed and led training for new teachers on procedures, documentation, classroom management, and electronic file management systems

English/ Critical Thinking Teacher

Escambia Charter High School
10.2014 - 05.2015
  • Implemented differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
  • Promoted effective verbal and written communication through listening, speaking, reading, and writing practice
  • Evaluated academic skills of each student through verbal assessments, graded assignments, and standardized tests
  • Devised and implemented classroom management strategies, maintaining a safe and pleasant learning environment
  • Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways

Legal Project Manager

Kelly Professional Services, Inc
10.2012 - 11.2013
  • Prepared and assisted in Presentation of PowerPoint/ digital and physical Presentations for Depositions, Mediations, and Trials
  • Prepared clients, files, experts, and staff for Depositions, Mediations, and Trials
  • Planned, organized, and managed Focus Groups, meetings, events, seminars, conferences, and retreats
  • Identified opportunities to streamline processes and improve office operations and efficiency by organizing and updating databases, records, and other resources
  • Researched, retained, and managed Experts from various fields

Senior Legal Assistant

Aegon USA (TransAmerica)
07.2008 - 08.2010
  • Filed court documents and legal pleadings with court clerk on behalf of attorneys
  • Prepared and drafted correspondence and legal forms to maintain smooth communications
  • Managed accounts and client records observing confidentiality and extreme discretion
  • Responsible for Corporate Service of Process, Litigation reports, Audit requests, and various Quarterly reports and conferences
  • Maintained Corporate Law Library, reference materials, reports, etc
  • Communicated pertinent information to clients via phone, email, and mail

Education

Master of Science - Psychology & Counseling

Troy University
Troy, AL
12-2012

Bachelor of Arts - History

The University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL
08-2012

Associate of Arts - Legal Studies

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL
08-2005

Skills

  • Community engagement
  • Program management
  • Deadline oriented
  • Oral and written communications
  • Public speaking
  • Strategic planning
  • Donor, Board, Volunteer, Partner relations & Relationship Building
  • Data analysis
  • Financial management
  • Prospect research
  • Event planning, organizing, & oversight
  • Marketing & Social Media expertise
  • Grant writing
  • Online fundraising & event management
  • QuickBooks and Raiser's edge
  • Counseling/ Social Services
  • Teaching/ Academic Administration

Certification

· Professional Educator's Certificate (Florida DOE): Guidance Counseling, K-12, Social Science 6-12: *Highly Qualified* *Highly Effective* (July 2017 – June 2027)

· FL Reading Endorsement Competency 2 (Schultz Center, 11/2016)

· ESOL Endorsement (Osceola PGS, 04/2021)

· Teaching Students with Disabilities: ESE Certified (4/2022)

Timeline

Development Director (Promoted From Manager)

Pace Center for Girls
08.2023 - Current

Transition Counselor

Pace Center for Girls
10.2021 - 08.2023

School Counselor

Florida Cyber Charter Academy
08.2020 - 05.2021

School Counselor

Santa Rosa County School District
08.2019 - 12.2019

Resource Specialist

Pace Center for Girls
08.2018 - 08.2019

Social Studies Teacher/ Academic Adviser

Pace Center For Girls
08.2015 - 08.2018

English/ Critical Thinking Teacher

Escambia Charter High School
10.2014 - 05.2015

Legal Project Manager

Kelly Professional Services, Inc
10.2012 - 11.2013

Senior Legal Assistant

Aegon USA (TransAmerica)
07.2008 - 08.2010

Master of Science - Psychology & Counseling

Troy University

Bachelor of Arts - History

The University of West Florida

Associate of Arts - Legal Studies

Pensacola State College