Ashley McBride, State Director

Ashley McBride, MS, is a native of Arkansas and a graduate of both Spelman College and the University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus. As a dynamic strategist, Ashley has successfully led employees, managed multimillion-dollar state and federal grants, and sustained business operations across non-profit, higher education, and corporate sectors for over 13 years. She has been immersed in the non-profit world, focusing on health, education, and creating access to resources for diverse populations. 

In 2022, Ashley was selected to become AARP Arkansas’ first Black State Director and is one of, if not the youngest, State Directors in the 60-year history of AARP. At AARP Arkansas, Ashley advocates for the 50-plus community to empower people to choose how they live as they age. She is passionate about issues such as caregiving, digital equity, creating more livable communities for people 50-plus and their families, and addressing disparities by leading the charge to add age discrimination to the Civil Rights Bill. During Ashley’s leadership, AARP Arkansas has grown into a nationally recognized State Office known for being innovative, inclusive, and taking on tough issues. 

 Ashley serves in several leadership capacities outside of AARP, including the Pulaski County Broadband board and advisory committee, Leadership Greater Little Rock Class of XXIX, where she was chosen as class speaker, New Leaders Council (Arkansas Chapter), and she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She previously served as a board member with Wise with Words Geriatric Consulting and Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC). Ashley was recognized as a 2024 Future Icon by Arkansas Money and Politics.