Ashley Ray: Combining People and Problem-Solving in Public Sector HR

Ashley Ray’s work life began in retail.

Ray’s professional experience started with multinational clothing store Zumiez, where she came on board as a seasonable employee in November 2004. She became a full-time assistant manager within three months and earning a promotion to store manager within a year.

Ray, who is currently an HR analyst with the Town of Yountville, Calif., also spent three-and-a-half years with skate fashion brand Vans. There, her duties included recruiting, hiring, training and developing store personnel.

She found herself at a turning point, however, after losing a retail job when the company went bankrupt.

“I had spent half of my life, literally, in retail. And I knew I was ready to explore something different,” says Ray, adding that Yountville “has always been home for me.”

She recalls moving there with her family as she entered eighth grade in the mid-1990s, soon volunteering at the Veterans Home of Yountville and at local events through the Town’s parks and recreation department.

That volunteer experience led to her first job with the Town, as a camp counselor, and later as a pool attendant and lifeguard. Her time in those roles left a lasting impression.

“I’ve always enjoyed work that involves people and problem-solving, and public sector HR really brings those two things together,” says Ray.

So, when she saw an opening for an accounting assistant with the Town in 2017, “I decided to go for it,” despite not having an accounting background.

“I knew there were likely candidates with more direct experience, but I focused on what I could bring to the table. My retail experience had built a strong foundation in customer service, organization and problem-solving, and I was motivated to learn.”

The gamble paid off. She got the job, of course, and quickly grew within the organization.

Ray moved from an accounting assistant to an administrative assistant role in September 2018, where she began supporting the HR department, eventually applying for the HR analyst position she now holds.

In this role, she especially enjoys “being able to support the people who keep local government running every day. The work employees do has a direct impact on the community, so when HR helps build strong teams and supportive workplaces, it really matters.”

As an HR analyst, Ray has been able to work on improving the City’s recruitment processes, helping different departments navigate hiring challenges, and updating policies and procedures.

“I like being able to step back, look at how things are working and find ways to make them better for everyone involved,” says Ray, who holds an associate’s degree in business administration and management from California Coast University.

Ray joined PSHRA as an individual member in May 2023, to connect with peers taking on the same tests in their day-to-day work.

“Government HR has its own unique challenges, and it’s helpful to be able to learn from others who are working through similar issues,” she says.

“I also appreciate having a place where HR professionals can share ideas, talk through challenges and learn from each other’s experiences. It’s been a great way to stay connected to the broader HR community in the public sector.”

Moving forward, Ray would like to continue her career growth “and take on more strategic work that helps the organization operate more effectively,” adding that she’s especially interested in improving recruitment and retention while modernizing HR practices.

“I also enjoy working on projects that improve processes and make things clearer and more efficient for staff and leadership,” she concludes. “At the end of the day, I just want to keep doing work that helps the organization support employees and serves the community well.”