Ashley Trim is the Executive Director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. The Mission of the Davenport Institute is to help build stronger communities by promoting public participation in local governance. Ashley writes and speaks about public engagement and transparency issues for local and online news organizations, Davenport Institute trainings, and national conferences. Trim also coordinates Davenport's grant programs, training seminars and events and oversees the Institute's research and engagement projects. Most recently she helped design and launch a three-day professional certificate in public engagement in partnership with the School of Public Policy. Trim has a BA in Government from Patrick Henry College and an MPP from the Pepperdine School of Public Policy.