Ashley C. MacLeay is the director of external relations for Independent Women's Forum and Independent Women’s Voice, the preeminent organizations of women who promote free markets, limited government, and personal liberty. 

Prior to joining IW, Ashley worked in political consulting and was involved with political campaigns at the national and state level including Mitt Romney for President, Ken Cuccinelli for Governor (VA), and Martha McSally for Congress (AZ). A native Marylander, Ashley cut her teeth in politics in the office of Congressman Roscoe G. Bartlett (MD-06) and worked for the Maryland General Assembly during the administration of Governor Bob Ehrlich. She also worked with state party counsels and leaders across the country at the Republican National Lawyers Association. Ashley received her B.A in Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park and holds a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. She also spent time studying at the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.

Ashley currently serves as DC’s national committeewoman to the Republican National Committee and is the co-chair of its committee on election integrity. From 2017-2021 she served as the at-large representative for the DC State Board of Education and was the highest ranking and only registered Republican elected to citywide office in Washington, DC. She was a 2016 Washington, DC fellow for National Review Institute and regularly speaks on issues affecting women in politics.

Ashley lives in the neighborhood of Capitol Hill with her husband and two children.