Ashley Hunt

Ashley Hunt says she excited to help share the story of a first-of-its-kind program in Hamilton County that is designed to benefit and encourage children to pursue higher education.

The Iowa Falls native was hired recently to work with the Financial Literacy Council of Greater Hamilton County in hopes of growing and expanding its 529 college savings program. Hunt brings a fresh perspective to the program that was initiated in 2018.

The Council first envisioned the program nearly 10 years ago, and it has grown to be the only nonprofit in the U.S. advocating for better education through 529 college savings accounts for every kindergarten child in a county school. FLCGH President and County Supervisor Rick Young said the intent is to expand the program to other grades. To date, AVAILA Bank and the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors have agreed to support the savings accounts.

Hunt graduated from Iowa State University, where she studied speech communications and event management. She then joined LS2 group of Des Moines where she rose to be a partner. LS2group is a well recognized public relations firm with worldwide connections. Most recently, Hunt has organized a new public relations firm, IAStrategies, as full partner.

“I really want to work with nonprofits and smaller businesses and tie into what’s happening in Iowa,” she said.

She brings a wealth experience in working with nonprofit groups on education issues, specifically working to encourage participation in STEM careers, along with lifting up teachers to give them the resources they need.

She praised what the Financial Literacy Council had achieved already

“This is a program that I think everyone can get behind,” Hunt said. “These kids are our future. They are the future community leaders. We all want to see what they can do.”

“When you think about Iowa and rural counties, a lot of people think that we’re very tradition based and slow moving and not innovative or progressive. Sometimes, we’re overlooked,” she said. “But actually, what you find is so much innovation and new ideas growing out of these areas. That’s an important story to tell, not just here in Hamilton County, but all across the state.”

Hunt said the boost provided by the FLCGH can be just what it takes to set a student on the path to higher education.

“It’s going to help get students into college and get them better paying jobs, which helps our economy,” Hunt said.

“We’ve been looking for the right person for about a year,” said Young. “It’s a really niche-type position and (The Council) is extremely pleased that we found someone with these skills to come and work with us,” he said.

Hunt will be working with Young and the other council members — Richard Anderson, Janet Adams, Erin Christian, Will Johnston and Barb Wollan — to find ways to expand the program and find new partners to support the vision as children move from kindergarten through elementary school, middle school and high school. Young said there are many ways local businesses and organizations could help the program.

“Maybe a business owner’s mother was a teacher or they have a passion for reading. They might say they would add $25 to each student’s account if they each read 20 books,” Young said, offering an example of how a business could help.

Young said Hunt would be reaching out to not only businesses but also to schools and administrators.

“I think what’s happening here in Hamilton County is really exciting and new and fresh,” said Hunt. “People are going to want to get behind it and support these kids.”