Ashley Schuster Downend

Ashley Schuster Downend serves as a Senior Program Manager for Community Systems and Partnerships at Safe & Sound since October 2023, focusing on project development to enhance resource linkages for families while addressing child welfare and systemic disparities affecting BIPOC communities. Prior to this role, Ashley was a Freelance Author and Advocate, producing an 85,000-word manuscript that examines foster care and public policy. Previous experience includes consultancy at the Center for Story Based Strategy, where Ashley conducted program evaluations, and various research and policy analysis positions, including roles at the University of Southern California and Swords to Plowshares, where Ashley focused on veteran care policy. Ashley holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Westmont College.