MEET
ASHLEY
CONTRERAS DE LA VEGA
Candidate for Imperial Valley Healthcare District Board of Directors, District 3
LEADERSHIP SHAPED BY EXPERIENCE.
DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY.
MEET
ASHLEY
CONTRERAS DE LA VEGA
Candidate for Imperial Valley Healthcare District Board of Directors, District 3
LEADERSHIP SHAPED BY EXPERIENCE.
DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY.
TURNING PERSONAL EXPERIENCE INTO PURPOSE
At age 29, Ashley faced a traumatic health crisis that left her paralyzed from the chest down, along with other severe injuries. She spent four months hospitalized, experiencing firsthand how hospitals operate four months hospitalized, experiencing firsthand how hospitals operate and how patients and families navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
After returning home, she spent more than a year bedridden, facing immense physical, emotional, and logistical challenges with minimal guidance on how to adapt to her new reality - all while raising her family.
Through it all, she never gave up. Her experience gave her a unique and powerful perspective on healthcare, accessibility, and the real challenges faced by patients and families in our community.
TURNING CHALLENGES INTO ACTION
After hitting wall after wall looking for critical resources as an adult with a disability. Ashley realized that many other Imperial Valley residents were facing the same or even greater challenges - often accepting the first "no" and give up.
To ensure no one else was left behind, she founded Access to Thrive, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to developing vital programs to fill those gaps, including critical home modifications and creative employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.
Today, Ashley continues to champion the fight to bring more resources and opportunities to families across the Imperial Valley. Her campaign for the Imperial Valley Healthcare District Board of Directors is a clear extension of this commitment.
EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS
Ashley brings a unique combination of patient experience, frontline medical training, executive leadership, insurance knowledge, fiscal oversight, and community advocacy to the healthcare district.
FRONTLINE MEDICAL EXPERIENCE
Certified EMT at age 23, gaining firsthand experience with emergency medical response, patient care, triage, and the fast-paced decisions required when people are at their most vulnerable.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP & FISCAL OVERSIGHT
Experience managing operating budgets, securing competitive grants, and forging strategic partnerships with external and state agencies to bring vital resources home.
HEALTHCARE INSURANCE EXPERIENCE
Experience working with healthcare insurance agencies, giving her a firsthand understanding of navigating coverage, services, and protections for families.
PUBLIC HEALTH & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
A proven track record of showing up and shaping policy across the Valley, advocating for our most critical public health and environmental challenges.
