Ashley McKeon
Director, Agricultural Policy
Work
Areas of expertise:
Agriculture and food policy, climate-smart agriculture, soil health and nutrient management, climate mitigation, water quality and quantity, conservation and incentive program design, sustainable supply chains, corporate sustainability and science-based targets, systems thinking, public–private partnerships
Description
Ashley leads development of agricultural policy strategies that address climate and water challenges while supporting farmers and strengthening farm resilience. Her work focuses on cropland systems, soil health, nutrient management, and methane reduction. She partners across sectors to advance innovative, equitable solutions that cut emissions, improve water quality and water use, and drive regenerative and climate-smart agriculture at scale.
Background
Ashley brings cross-sector sustainability experience spanning business, government, and nonprofit leadership. She founded a strategic advisory firm, working with organizations on sustainability, agriculture policy, and markets, and previously led a global regenerative agriculture strategy at a multinational agribusiness company. Earlier, she served as senior professional staff on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, helping shape conservation and climate policy including the 2018 Farm Bill’s $60B conservation title, and as a senior political appointee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, supporting farm, food, conservation, and energy programs.
Education
- Master of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech
- Graduate Certificate in Sustainability, Virginia Tech
- BA Political Science, University of Portland