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Curriculum vitae

Ashley Bell Barnett

Public service · Education · Civic leadership

Winter Haven, Florida · GovernorBellBarnett.com/cv

Current Gubernatorial Appointments

  • MemberFlorida Board of GovernorsState University System
  • Vice ChairSouthwest Florida Water Management District
  • TrusteePolk State CollegePolk County, Florida

Former elementary teacher and workforce education leader who believes education is the foundation of success and that wraparound support is what lets people prosper. She connects people and organizations across Florida higher education, water stewardship, early learning and community health, and leads by learning first and building consensus.

Public appointments

  • Member, Board of Governors

    State University System of Florida

    November 2023–present

    Helps govern Florida’s 12 public universities, serving more than 431,000 students. Chair, Campus Safety and Student Success Committee. Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in November 2023. Reappointed in January 2026 to a term through January 6, 2033; confirmed by the Florida Senate on March 10, 2026.

  • Vice Chair, Governing Board

    Southwest Florida Water Management District

    October 2026–October 2027

    Elected Vice Chair on October 27, 2026, for the 2026–2027 officer term. Represents Polk County; board member since December 2020, reappointed August 2023 to a term ending March 1, 2027. Central Florida Water Initiative liaison. The District serves nearly 6 million people across 16 counties, with a $256.2 million budget (fiscal year 2026).

  • Trustee, District Board of Trustees

    Polk State College

    February 2018–present

    Chair, 2021–2022, the year the College secured $53.1 million in state funding, the largest appropriation in its history.

Civic & philanthropic leadership

  • Council Member, Women United Global Leadership Council

    United Way Worldwide

    2025–present

    Appointment announced in July 2025 for an initial three-year term; supports Women United’s global work to strengthen families and communities.

  • Member, Board of Directors

    Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation

    June 2023–present

  • Member, Foundation Board

    Lakeland Regional Hospital Foundation

    2018–present

  • Board Member

    The Children’s Movement of Florida

    2025–present

    Early learning and literacy advocacy.

  • Advisory Board Member

    IDEA Lakeland (IDEA Public Schools)

    2022–present

  • Executive Committee

    ConnectED Polk

    2020–present

    Education and sustainable community development. Began in 2020 on the executive board of Lakeland Leads, now part of ConnectED Polk.

Ashley Bell Barnett Curriculum vitae

Selected prior service

  • Board Chair

    United Way of Central Florida

    August 2022–June 2023

    Led the board through the 2022–2023 campaign, which set a record $10.66 million goal and exceeded it. Board member since 2016. Earlier roles: Campaign Chair (2016–2017), Community Impact Chair (from 2018) and Vice Chair (2021–2022).

  • Foundation Board

    Polk State College Foundation

    2014–June 2020

    Leadership roles included Development Chair (2018), Treasurer (2018–19) and Vice Chair (2019–20).

  • Founder and Chair

    Polk Type One Diabetes Support Group (JDRF Polk)

    Founded 2019

Also served on

  • Achievement Academy Advisory Board, joined 2022
  • Superintendent Search Committee, Polk County Public Schools, 2021
  • GiveVisual founding board, joined 2019
  • Talbot House Ministries Board, joined 2018
  • Bonnet Springs Park, Friends of the Park Board, joined 2018

Professional experience

  • Director

    AgAmerica Foundation

    2021–2023

  • Marketing Analyst, Workforce Education

    Polk County Public Schools

    2008–2013

    Worked on the district’s career academies and workforce programs through the recession, including helping incumbent workers find new work. By 2014 the academy network had grown to 75 high school academies and 42 middle school pre-academies, serving about 15,000 students.

  • Elementary Teacher

    Polk County Public Schools

    2005–2008

    Earlier a substitute teacher, 2003–2005.

Additional experience includes economic development, legislative affairs and community advocacy.

Education

  • Master of Public Administration

    University of South Florida

    2010

  • Bachelor’s degree

    Florida Southern College

    2006

  • Associate in Arts

    South Florida Community College (now South Florida State College)

    2004

  • Professional Certificate, Management and Philanthropy

    UCLA

    2014

Leadership development

  • Leadership Polk, Class XII
  • Leadership Polk Education, Class I
  • Leadership Florida Education, Class III
  • Leadership Los Angeles, Class VI

Selected honors

  • 2025 Florida Hero, named by Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis
  • ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, 2022
  • AFP Philanthropist of the Year, Greater Polk County, 2021
  • Girls Inc. of Polk County “She Knows Where She’s Going” Award, 2019
Sources & résumé notes

This résumé presents selected, publicly documented service. Dates are included where confirmed. The January 2026 Board of Governors reappointment was confirmed by the Florida Senate on March 10, 2026, for a term through January 6, 2033.

Entries without a link were confirmed by Ashley in an October 30, 2026 questionnaire and interview. Some start years come from her own earlier résumés, and a few dates were confirmed by the family on October 31, 2026.

The District’s current biography lists Ashley as Vice Chair. Its October 27, 2026 announcement reports the Governing Board’s vote electing her Vice Chair for the 2026–2027 term, which runs to October 2027. A May 19, 2026 District release named the same officer slate.