» Interim VP of Strategic Marketing and Communications Garrett Ashley

Garrett has extensive experience in public affairs, communications and government relations related roles. He is vice chancellor emeritus for the California State University (CSU) system where he also served as president of the CSU Foundation. At CSU, Garrett oversaw the division of University Relations and Advancement, where he worked to raise the profile of the university and its 23 campuses. During his tenure as vice chancellor, Garrett advised and supported the chancellor, board of trustees, and executive team, helping them successfully manage crises and communicate effectively under challenging circumstances. He also developed CSU’s first comprehensive out-of-state and international alumni outreach efforts and raised money to endow an annual faculty and staff award program.

Earlier in his career, Garrett held various public sector positions in California, including Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Undersecretary for International Trade at the California Business Transportation and Housing Agency, and Chief Deputy Director at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. In addition to his work at the state level, Garrett was chief of staff to a member of Congress.

Garrett is a senior fellow at the Intentional Endowments Network (IEN), a nonprofit, peer network focused on helping endowments learn about and implement ESG and mission-aligned investing strategies. He serves on the board of the California Coalition for Public Higher Education – Education Fund, which strives to inform and educate Californians on the societal benefits and economic impacts of California’s public higher education systems. Additionally, he is a member and former chair of the St. Mary Medical Center Board of Ambassadors in Long Beach and co-chair of IEN’s Executive Steering Committee. Previously, he was undersecretary for international trade in the California Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency. He chaired the statewide California Trade Partnership, was a member of the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee and served on the advisory board of the Center for International Business Education and Research at the University of Southern California.

He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Mexico.

VP of Strategic Marketing and Communications Garrett Ashley at Chapman University

Garrett Ashley

Interim VP of Strategic Marketing and Communications