Ashley Bell Barnett
Two Centuries. Ten Generations. One Florida.
From the Turnbull Colony of 1768 to the founding of Tampa — ten generations of pioneers, soldiers, lawmen, and builders. It doesn't get more Florida than Ashley Bell Barnett.
Management DistrictVice Chair
10 Generations of Florida Legacy
Most people come to Florida. Ashley Bell Barnett is Florida. From the Turnbull Colony of 1768 to the founding of Tampa — her family has been here through hurricanes, wars, freezes, booms, and busts. That's not a biography. That's a covenant.
In 1768, Dr. Andrew Turnbull assembled over 1,400 colonists from Minorca, Greece, and Italy for a colonial venture in British East Florida. Roque Leonardi was among them. What they...
Born September 21, 1782, in St. Augustine, Bartolome Josef was among the first Leonardis born in America. In 1808, he married Antonia Paula Bonelli — daughter of fellow Turnbull Co...
Levi Coller rode alone on horseback through Seminole territory to Tampa Bay around 1823. Family legend holds he was cured of a respiratory ailment by a Native remedy — burning pine...
Born in Quebec, Canada, Louis Bell served as Corporal in the 2nd U.S. Infantry during the Second Seminole War. He spoke a Seminole dialect. On March 25, 1838, he married Eliza Coll...
The first Bell born in Florida, Louis Jr married Florencia Josefa Leonardy on September 11, 1858, uniting the Bells, Collers, and Leonardis. Florencia was born in St. Augustine on ...
Born on Leap Day 1864, George became Tampa Town Marshal, Deputy Sheriff, and played right field for the Magnolia Baseball Club. He married Linne Post — from the family of Madison P...
Named ‘Post’ after his mother’s family — the same Posts who produced Tampa’s 5th mayor — Adrian Post Bell served in the 124th Infantry Regiment (First Florida). His military servic...
Robert A. Bell maintained the family’s deep Tampa Bay roots through the mid-twentieth century — an era of explosive growth as Florida transformed from a frontier state to a nationa...
Robert N. Bell witnessed and contributed to Florida’s transformation — from the Space Age to the rise of Central Florida as an economic powerhouse. The family that arrived before t...
Ashley Bell Barnett carries forward 258 years of Florida heritage. A member of the Florida Board of Governors, Vice Chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, a 2025...
Florida isn't just where I'm from. It's what I'm made of. When I fight for this state, I'm fighting for the land my family has called home for ten generations — and every generation that comes after.
Her Priorities
In her own words, from a conversation in October 2026: the causes that tie her board service together.
Wraparound Services
Her first priority is what she calls wraparound services: the support that lets people prosper once they have an education, from counseling and after-school care to food pantries, financial literacy and clothes for the workforce. As she puts it, “wherever you are in life, there is always a need.”
The Education Pipeline
A former elementary teacher, she sees one continuous pipeline from early learning through universities, state colleges and the workforce. She calls education “the foundation of success,” and her personal mission is keeping higher education affordable and accessible for every student, including adults returning later in life.
Workforce and Credentials
Drawing on her years in Polk County’s workforce education programs, she champions certificates and credentials that meet learners where they are, help working adults move up or change careers, and prepare students for the work AI can’t do.
Campus Safety
As chair of the Board of Governors’ Campus Safety and Student Success Committee, she works to make sure students can learn without fear, and that families can trust their universities to protect students’ safety and mental health.
Water for the Next Generation
On the Southwest Florida Water Management District board, she has learned how much goes into every glass of water: flood protection first, healthy lakes and rivers, and long-range planning so a fast-growing Florida keeps clean, affordable drinking water.
Generational Philanthropy
Service was expected in the family she grew up in, and she is passing it on to her two daughters. From United Way to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, she gives time and leadership as well as resources, so that giving carries from one generation to the next.
Her Values
Education Excellence
Higher education as the foundation of opportunity. Accountability, access, and excellence for all Florida students.
Environmental Stewardship
Protecting Florida’s natural heritage. Conservation, clean water, and sustainable growth.
Family & Community
Children’s causes, community leadership, and building a stronger future for Florida families.
Independent Voice
Demonstrated independent judgment on the Board. Votes based on principle, not politics.
Built on Service
Ashley Bell Barnett doesn't just talk about education, healthcare, and community — she has served on the boards that govern them.
Ashley Bell Barnett
Member, Florida Board of Governors · State University System of Florida
Winter Haven, FL. Wife. Mother of two daughters. Ten generations of Florida legacy. Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Serving her second term through January 2033, and chairs the Board's Campus Safety and Student Success Committee.
Board Service
- Florida Board of Governors, State University System
- Vice Chair, Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board
- Polk State College District Board of Trustees (Chair, 2021–2022)
- Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation Board of Directors
- Lakeland Regional Hospital Foundation Board
- The Children’s Movement of Florida Board
- IDEA Lakeland Advisory Board
- ConnectED Polk, Executive Committee
- Women United Global Leadership Council, United Way Worldwide
- United Way of Central Florida, Board Chair 2022–2023
Education
- MPA — University of South Florida
- Bachelor’s — Florida Southern College
- AA — South Florida Community College
- Professional Certificate, Management and Philanthropy — UCLA
- Leadership Polk (Class XII)
- Leadership Polk Education (Class I)
- Leadership Florida Education (Class III)
- Leadership Los Angeles (Class VI)
Recognition
- 2025 Florida Hero, named by the Governor and First Lady
- ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, Lakeland Chamber, 2022
- AFP Philanthropist of the Year, 2021
- Girls Inc. of Polk County “She Knows Where She's Going” Award, 2019
Education Class III — part of Florida's premier civic leadership network.
Reappointed by Governor DeSantis and confirmed by the Florida Senate. Serving through 2033.
Key Moments in Her Record
Why She Serves
From a conversation in October 2026.
“Education is the foundation of success. But for people to truly prosper, we need wraparound services that nurture, prepare and sustain them.”
“Public service was a conviction I learned early. It was part of the family I grew up in, and it has only grown as I have.”
“Higher education should be within reach for everyone, including people who return to it later in life. Learning should never stop.”
“I hope to serve the silent population: people too busy raising children, working to pay the bills and managing life to advocate for themselves.”
“Boards work best when they build consensus. I learn first and listen before I speak, because you have to understand a board’s history before you can help shape its future.”
Beyond the Boardroom
“I love immersing myself in new cultures, new people and new food. Travel invigorates me.” Her favorite place so far: Southeast Asia.
Best sandwich in Florida? Jessie’s sweet and sour Cuban in Lakeland.
@TheSammyQueen on Instagram →The Sound of Music.
Enough said.
Someday she hopes to volunteer one-on-one through Best Buddies or Stephen Ministry. “It’s a small thing, but helping one person have a better day matters.”