Thank You for Attending the AZ WLG 2025 Conference!
Waves of Wisdom: Empowering Women Leaders
We want to thank everyone who attended the conference and hope you learned new and amazing things!
The #AZWLG2025 Conference was Thursday, November 6 and Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Phoenix Convention Center – South Building. The AZ WLG 2025 Conference drew more than 300 government professionals and other attendees dedicated to helping women leaders to succeed in public service.
Arizona Women Leading Government (AZ WLG) is a non-profit membership association that provides professional development, networking, and mentoring opportunities statewide to strengthen the position of women by preparing aspiring, emerging professionals for leadership posts in government; and to increase the number of women in executive government positions throughout the State of Arizona.
For session information:
The #AZWLG2025 Conference was Thursday, November 6 and Friday, November 7, 2025 at the Phoenix Convention Center – South Building. The AZ WLG 2025 Conference drew more than 300 government professionals and other attendees dedicated to helping women leaders to succeed in public service.
Arizona Women Leading Government (AZ WLG) is a non-profit membership association that provides professional development, networking, and mentoring opportunities statewide to strengthen the position of women by preparing aspiring, emerging professionals for leadership posts in government; and to increase the number of women in executive government positions throughout the State of Arizona.
For session information:
AZWLG Women Leading in Excellence Award
Congratulations Ashley Ahlquist!
Ashley Ahlquist is the first female Emergency Manager in Yavapai County’s history and one of the youngest in Arizona, embodying the perseverance, vision, and leadership recognized by the Women Leading in Excellence Award. Her career reflects both deep experience in public safety and a steadfast commitment to preparedness, training, and the advancement of women in government.
Ashley began her career in public safety telecommunications, serving for nine years, including as a supervisor. During that time, she created and led a tactical dispatch team that deployed to wildfires and SWAT incidents, providing critical communications support in high-stakes environments. Her professionalism and service were widely recognized — her skills were applauded in the apprehension of a sexual assault assailant, and her calls have since been used in training across the country on violence against women. She also spearheaded in-service training initiatives across Northern Arizona and was instrumental in the creation of the Public Safety Dispatch Academy at Yavapai College, where she remains on the adjunct instructor roster, contributing to curriculum development and advancing professional training standards. Her training portfolio includes service as a Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Counselor, FBI Crisis Negotiations training, and certification as an Incident Command Communications Manager.
After moving into emergency management, Ashley’s expertise continued to be sought after. She has presented multiple times at the Arizona APCO/NENA Conference, sharing her insights on alert and warning and on career pathways in public safety and emergency management — bridging her dispatch background with her leadership role in EM.
Her academic preparation is equally strong. Ashley earned a B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management and master’s degrees in Forensic Psychology and Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She completed FEMA’s Advanced Professional Series and the Basic Academy at the Emergency Management Institute and has been accepted into EMI’s Advanced Emergency Management Academy, a competitive program designed to refine and strengthen the nation’s top emergency management leaders.
In April 2022, Ashley stepped into her current role as Yavapai County’s Emergency Manager. Since then, she has modernized and advanced the county’s emergency management program. She spearheaded the revision and design of the County Emergency Operations Plan, ensuring it functions as a living document that guides preparedness, response, and recovery. She also brought together multiple jurisdictions and agencies to create alert and warning templates aligned with best practices, ensuring consistent and effective communication to the public during critical incidents.
Ashley is a tireless advocate for preparedness, implementing proactive, community-centered education campaigns that resonate across generations and populations — from seniors and families to rural residents and individuals with access and functional needs. She has also championed capability-driven exercises and training, ensuring Yavapai County’s readiness efforts are meaningful, measurable, and inclusive of the whole community.
Her leadership has earned recognition statewide and nationally. In Fall 2024, Ashley became a Gold Card credentialed EOC Director through the Arizona Qualification System. That same year, she was elected Board Liaison for the Arizona Association of Emergency Managers. In May 2025, she achieved one of the highest professional honors in the field by becoming a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Today, Ashley leads Yavapai County’s emergency preparedness program with skill and dedication, overseeing countywide emergency planning, coordinating across agencies and jurisdictions, and directing the Emergency Operations Center during crises. She embodies excellence not only through her technical expertise and innovative leadership but also through her commitment to mentorship, training, and preparedness advocacy.
Ashley Ahlquist is a trailblazer and role model for women in public service. Her journey from dispatcher to Emergency Manager reflects determination, service, and leadership at every level. As the first female Emergency Manager in Yavapai County, she has proven that women’s leadership strengthens communities, advances preparedness, and inspires the next generation of leaders.
Ashley began her career in public safety telecommunications, serving for nine years, including as a supervisor. During that time, she created and led a tactical dispatch team that deployed to wildfires and SWAT incidents, providing critical communications support in high-stakes environments. Her professionalism and service were widely recognized — her skills were applauded in the apprehension of a sexual assault assailant, and her calls have since been used in training across the country on violence against women. She also spearheaded in-service training initiatives across Northern Arizona and was instrumental in the creation of the Public Safety Dispatch Academy at Yavapai College, where she remains on the adjunct instructor roster, contributing to curriculum development and advancing professional training standards. Her training portfolio includes service as a Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Counselor, FBI Crisis Negotiations training, and certification as an Incident Command Communications Manager.
After moving into emergency management, Ashley’s expertise continued to be sought after. She has presented multiple times at the Arizona APCO/NENA Conference, sharing her insights on alert and warning and on career pathways in public safety and emergency management — bridging her dispatch background with her leadership role in EM.
Her academic preparation is equally strong. Ashley earned a B.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management and master’s degrees in Forensic Psychology and Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She completed FEMA’s Advanced Professional Series and the Basic Academy at the Emergency Management Institute and has been accepted into EMI’s Advanced Emergency Management Academy, a competitive program designed to refine and strengthen the nation’s top emergency management leaders.
In April 2022, Ashley stepped into her current role as Yavapai County’s Emergency Manager. Since then, she has modernized and advanced the county’s emergency management program. She spearheaded the revision and design of the County Emergency Operations Plan, ensuring it functions as a living document that guides preparedness, response, and recovery. She also brought together multiple jurisdictions and agencies to create alert and warning templates aligned with best practices, ensuring consistent and effective communication to the public during critical incidents.
Ashley is a tireless advocate for preparedness, implementing proactive, community-centered education campaigns that resonate across generations and populations — from seniors and families to rural residents and individuals with access and functional needs. She has also championed capability-driven exercises and training, ensuring Yavapai County’s readiness efforts are meaningful, measurable, and inclusive of the whole community.
Her leadership has earned recognition statewide and nationally. In Fall 2024, Ashley became a Gold Card credentialed EOC Director through the Arizona Qualification System. That same year, she was elected Board Liaison for the Arizona Association of Emergency Managers. In May 2025, she achieved one of the highest professional honors in the field by becoming a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) through the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Today, Ashley leads Yavapai County’s emergency preparedness program with skill and dedication, overseeing countywide emergency planning, coordinating across agencies and jurisdictions, and directing the Emergency Operations Center during crises. She embodies excellence not only through her technical expertise and innovative leadership but also through her commitment to mentorship, training, and preparedness advocacy.
Ashley Ahlquist is a trailblazer and role model for women in public service. Her journey from dispatcher to Emergency Manager reflects determination, service, and leadership at every level. As the first female Emergency Manager in Yavapai County, she has proven that women’s leadership strengthens communities, advances preparedness, and inspires the next generation of leaders.
AZ WLG FY 2026 Membership
Interested in membership? AZ WLG FY 2026 Memberships are good from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.
For information about AZ WLG Membership benefits & categories please, click here.
For information about AZ WLG Membership benefits & categories please, click here.
Connecting Arizona Women in Leadership
Join Us On Social Media
Stay up to date on events, activities, job opportunities, and timely discussions. Join our LinkedIn group.
