JAN Board Member Feature: Ashlee Kelly, Ph.D.
Ashlee Kelly, Ph.D., Vice-President and JAN Ward 7 Representative
Ashlee Kelly, Ph.D., serves as the Jackson Association of Neighborhoods’ (JAN) vice president and represents Ward 7. She is a serial entrepreneur, co-founder/principal of The Kelly Factory, a local architecture firm; founder and executive director of Mid City Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit and community center; and founder/CEO of The Gumbeaux, a proposal writing company.
Dr. Kelly is experienced in environmental planning, economic and community development, public policy, and proposal writing in the public and private sectors. A native of New Orleans, she has been a resident of Jackson since 2003 and has lived in the historic Belhaven neighborhood since 2006.
Dr. Kelly joined JAN a few months ago to leverage her urban planning and public policy background, aiming to bridge the gap between technical expertise and grassroots community advocacy. This role also gives her the unique opportunity to learn directly from experienced community leaders, enriching her understanding of local needs and challenges. She is committed to improving the overall quality of life of Jacksonians: "My vision for Jackson is a city where sustainable infrastructure, thriving local businesses, affordable housing, rich public amenities, and an engaged and empowered community unite to elevate the overall quality of life for all its residents."
Ashlee is married to Akili Kelly, architect and co-founder/principal of The Kelly Factory. Together, they have a 6-year-old daughter, Alex, an architectural intern at The Kelly Factory.
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