Ashley Medina grew up in Westchester County and was raised by her mom. Unfortunately,

Ashley's dad died of cancer when she was only six years old. As a result of this loss, resilience

took root at a young age. Ashley learned that when "life" happens, you can be sad, but you have

to push through. Ashley is proud of her dad's Hispanic heritage and carries his name "Medina"

with her as part of her cultural identity. She embraces her Italian/Irish heritage as well. Ashley is

bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.

While Ashley has countless memories of family and friends in Westchester woven into her core,

she now calls Riverdale, and all it has to offer, her home. Ashley is a mom of two young

children, ages 2 and 4 who simply light up her world. She moved to Riverdale in 2021 and plays

a key role in fostering community growth. As a dedicated board member of the Riverdale Main

Streets Alliance and the Bronx Community Board 8 - Economic Development Committee,

Ashley is passionate about strengthening and enriching our neighborhood.

Helping people is something that has always brought Ashley joy. She was inspired by her mom,

a special education teacher striving to make a difference in the lives of children who are

overcoming some of life’s most difficult challenges. Ashley recalls watching her mom provide a

caring heart that reached beyond the classroom. Those moments guided Ashley toward finding

her own passion. She wants to help influence the young minds of tomorrow and encourage the

children in her community to develop a sense of wonder along with a kind heart.

Ashley is the founder of The Riverdale Mommy & Me Club, a community-based program that

offers a variety of developmental classes for both children and caregivers. Led by a team of

experts, including behavioral therapists, educational therapists, speech therapists, yoga

instructors, and music & movement specialists, these classes are designed to support early

childhood development. They also provide parents with valuable tools to enhance their child’s

learning and overall well-being.

In addition to educational programs, the club hosts fun and engaging events like live animal

shows, puppet shows, face painting, and birthday parties. Recently, Ashley led the club’s

contribution to the Emergency Relief Drive to support neighbors affected by the Wallace Avenue

Fire, showcasing her commitment to helping those in need during difficult times. She also

organizes seasonal community initiatives, such as the Thanksgiving Food Drive for The Friendly

Fridge and the Toy Drive for New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

Through her work, Ashley is dedicated to creating a supportive, connected environment where

families in Riverdale can thrive together.