Ashley Bell-Barnett

Ashley Bell Barnett is a philanthropist, education advocate, and public servant. She has served on the State University System Board of Governors since 2024, and the Polk State College District Board of Trustees since her appointment in 2018. She has also led Connect Ed Polk County Director and Founder, Leadership Polk Director, Type One Connect International Board, and the Polk Art Association. She is a community advocate who has worked as a public educator, in workforce and economic development, legislative affairs, and nonprofit leadership. She has also served the Polk State College Foundation Board in leadership roles including Development Chair, Treasurer, and Vice-Chair. She concluded her service on the Polk State Foundation Board in June 2020.

Mrs. Barnett is also passionate about sustainable Community Development, with a focus on education. In addition to her leadership and advocacy in education, Mrs. Barnett serves as Chair of the United Way of Central Florida Board of Directors, Governing Board Member and Finance Chair of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Lakeland Regional Hospital Foundation Board, Give Visual LLC, Lakeland Leads Executive Committee, Polk County JDRF Liaison, Achievement Academy Advisory Board, Polk Arts Alliance Board, and Friends of Bonnet Springs Board, and Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow. She has participated in Leadership Florida, Leadership Los Angeles, Leadership Polk, and Leadership Polk Vision Inside Polk County Public Schools.

Mrs. Barnett has been the recipient of notable awards including the National Athena Award (2023), AFP philanthropist of the year, and Barnett was recently named a Florida Community Hero. Mrs. Barnett holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida and received a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College. She is a graduate of Leadership Polk (Class XII), Leadership Florida Education (Class III), and Leadership Los Angeles (Class VI). She is a fifth-generation Floridian who lives in Winter Haven with her husband, Wesley, and their two daughters. Mrs. Barnett enjoys traveling with her family, spending time with her adopted daughter from Latvia, and cheering on the Florida Gators football team.