When it comes to nonprofit work, tracking state and federal policies is all in a day’s work for Ashlee Cooper, Manager of Advocacy & Government Affairs. With a diverse professional background in human services, supported living arrangements, teaching preschool, even working in floral and cake design and décor, Ashlee started her career at Opportunity Village in 2013, working her way up from on-call, to a Career Opportunity Advocate (now the Case Manager position), to her current role.
“OV was the first job I had where I truly enjoyed my work, felt like I was making a difference and not just a cog in the wheel, and could see a path for myself to grow,” said Ashlee. “I think that OV is really the gold standard for not only disability services but nonprofits in Southern Nevada. The organization is so complex and provides so many opportunities for people across the valley.”
In her role, Ashlee tracks policies that affect people with disabilities and their families in an effort to work with OV’s leadership and several state and nationwide organizations to determine how to effectively educate lawmakers on specific policies. Some of her days include watching interim legislative committees and writing letters, while other days she can be found riding on a bus from Las Vegas to Carson City with 50 people with disabilities and their family members for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day at the Nevada Legislature. Ashlee also oversees OV’s family engagement initiatives and the efforts to involve families in advocacy work.
“I love that when you work at OV, no matter what department you’re in or what your job title is, you get to be an advocate for others,” Ashlee said.
A natural born advocate for others, Ashlee’s passion doesn’t stop at the doors of Opportunity Village. In May 2024, Ashlee traded in her office views for those of Suva, Fiji as a selected Professional Fellowship Program (PFP) Oceania recipient.
While in Fiji, Ashlee assisted Nina, a former PFP Oceania winner who spent time at Opportunity Village during their fellowship, in establishing an employment training program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and built valuable relationships with the Fijian government and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. She also built relationships with the U.S. embassy and the NV National Guard, which have programs in Fiji. The Professional Fellows Program Oceania is a two-way, global exchange program between the Pacific Islands and the United States. The program is designed to promote cultural understanding and enhance leadership and professional skills while building sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders.
“During her time at OV, Nina explained that in her country, employing people with I/DD is groundbreaking. There is currently no expectation that a child with I/DD would grow up to have a job. Seeing Nina learn while she was here and her dedication to her work really inspired me to apply for the fellowship,” said Ashlee. “Going to Fiji for work is a success that I would not have even dreamed of for myself! So I am pretty proud of that (and a bit terrified!).”
Get to Know Ashlee:
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I like all of the types of food. The variety of food from so many different cultures is one of my favorite things about Las Vegas.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of work?
A: Crafting and creating, cooking, I love live music and hanging out with my family and friends.
Q: What is a talent you have that not many people know about?
A: I’m not really sure; I don’t know that I have any hidden talents. I have a number of random skills and nuggets of knowledge but I wouldn’t say I have anything I’m especially talented at.
Q: Do you follow any sports teams, if so which ones?
A: Nah. I watch the Super Bowl for the halftime show. I do like going to in-person sporting events, especially the Aces games!
Q: What movie genre interests you the most?
A: I don’t know if there’s a particular genre, but there are some directors that I prefer. I’ve been into 90’s rom coms lately! The last movie I saw in theaters was the new Godzilla movie.
Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?
A: I mean … if I’m being honest it’s probably my phone. And water.
Q: If you could pick one superpower what would it be?
A: Well, with great power comes great responsibility! I don’t know, I feel like having a superpower would backfire. It would be really cool to know how to play every musical instrument! Or to have synesthesia where you experience one sense through another, so you hear music and see colors or you can taste a color or smell a word.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
A: The pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Q: What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
A: My parents are union leaders and we all try to get together every year to celebrate Labor Day. That’s definitely my favorite holiday tradition. We have a big family and we’re all pretty spread out across the country, so it’s nice to have a September celebration when the weather is nice and there’s no expectation of gift giving or turkeys. It’s always a fun time!
