Ashley has a strong background in science and health communications, having previously been communications officer for the Bio-Protection Research Centre, a content developer/writer for the HealthInfo website, and communications adviser for Waitematā DHB. She was a journalist for more than 20 years, working on newspapers such as the New Zealand Herald, Herald on Sunday, and Sunday Star-Times.

Outside of work, she is a strong advocate for the regeneration of the Avon River red zone in Christchurch. In 2011 Ashley started the campaign to return the red zone to nature and later founded Greening the Red Zone. Ashley was also a member of Te Tira Kāhikuhiku, the Red Zones transformative land use consultative group.