Mary Ann Ashley

Mary Ann Ashley is passionate about giving back to the community where she lives and works. 

Ms. Ashley has served in many professional capacities, including as a NYSARC Case Manager, Canton Youth Center Director and as St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau Director. For the past 25 years, she has worked with youth in her community as a St. Lawrence Lewis-BOCES School Counselor, including in the Special Education Division, and now at the Seaway Career and Technical Education Center. In addition, Ms. Ashley was Co-President of the St. Lawrence Lewis BOCES Teachers’ Association, President of the Northern Zone Association for Counselors and Development, and a member of the St. Lawrence County Branch of the American Association of University Women. 

Elected to serve two terms on the Canton Central School Board, Ms. Ashley was also very active in the parent teacher associations while her son went through school. She was instrumental in creating the Canton Central Golden Bear Foundation and Gay Straight Alliance Program. 

Ms. Ashley was elected to the Canton Village Board for two terms, and is entering her second year as Mayor, where she has earned a reputation for working in a bipartisan way to help improve her community. 

When Ms. Ashley became a trustee, she pledged to return her salary to the Canton community. In her first year, she developed a kayak rental program, purchasing 10 kayaks for the public to enjoy the Grasse River. Over five years, she has donated nearly $25,000 to community groups, including the Canton Community Fund, Grasse River Heritage, Canton Rushton Canoe Weekend, Canton Chamber of Commerce Winterfest, Canton Recreation Program, the Canton Fire Department and Traditional Arts in Upstate New York. 

Ms. Ashley is a graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy, and earned her Associates in Criminal Justice at SUNY Canton, Bachelor’s in Human Services from SUNY Plattsburgh and Master’s in General Education from St. Lawrence University. She earned her permanent Certificate of Advanced Study as a School Administrator from SUNY Plattsburgh.