Executive Director of Innovative Programs & Strategic Planning

Phone: 217.362.2029

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Ashley Grayned

Mrs. Ashley Grayned is the Executive Director of Innovative Programs and Strategic Planning for Decatur Public Schools. She serves as a liaison between the school district and the community at large to ensure that the extended learning opportunities offered by DPS prepare students for all of life beyond school. Ashley is responsible for evaluating innovative strategies and solutions that help drive continuous improvement across, based on identified and projected needs. She is also responsible for providing leadership and support to the design, implementation, and overall coordination of all aspects of the District’s Strategic Plan.

A Decatur native, Ashley received her undergrad degree from Robert Morris University in Springfield, Illinois, and went on to earn her MBA from Columbia University. Ashley’s mission is to empower, impact, and transform the people and things around her.

Ashley is extremely committed to the community in which she lives and serves. She went through the Decatur Leadership Institute in 2014, and has gone on to serve on local boards and committees. Ashley is the proud Vice President of the Balk Talk Board of Directors.

Community is important to Ashley, but her favorite titles are wife of Braden and mom of Ashlen and Olivia. In their free time, they enjoy fitness and traveling.

Department Overview

  • The Department of Innovative Programs serves as the district’s strategic liaison for building partnerships that expand learning beyond the classroom and drive continuous improvement across all schools. With a strong emphasis on Career and College Readiness, the department develops, implements, and sustains some of the district’s most impactful and in-demand initiatives. These include career pathway programs, Extended Day before-and-after school offerings, dual credit opportunities with Richland Community College, paid internships, financial literacy education, and more. Through innovative thinking and collaborative leadership, the department identifies and launches new programs and practices that support student success. In addition to overseeing these initiatives, the Executive Director also leads the implementation and progress monitoring of the district’s Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with long-term goals and priorities.