Ashley Parks

Ashley Parks is an accomplished development professional with extensive experience in the arts sector. Currently serving as Chief Development Officer at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City since January 2025, Ashley previously held the role of Director of Development at Arizona Opera Company from November 2016 to December 2024, and worked as Director of Development at North Carolina Opera in 2016. Prior to these positions, Ashley served as Deputy Director of Patron and Individual Giving at Metropolitan Opera and as Manager of Individual Giving at Houston Grand Opera. Earlier career experiences include working as an Artistic Administration Apprentice at Washington National Opera and as Development Associate at The Peace Center for the Performing Arts. Ashley holds a B.M. in Music Theory from Furman University and two Master’s degrees in Arts Management from American University, along with a certificate in Systems Thinking and Project Leadership Management from Cornell University.