Aakesson headshot

Leland Fellow

Ashley Aakesson

1st Class, 2001-2003

Ashley earned a Master's degree in Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland, where she specialized in community health, agricultural development, and participatory, rapid rural appraisal. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Field placement: Save the Children

Metro Washington, DC (global)

Ashley Aakesson designed and implemented community-based food security and anti-hunger projects in the pastoral zone of Southern Ethiopia. For one such project, Ashley visited nursing mothers in Negelle, Ethiopia, researching their childcare practices to assess the nutritional health of their infants.

Policy placement: Save the Children

Metro Washington, DC (global)

Ashley provided research, training, and advocacy support to Save the Children’s Food Security Unit, specifically in the areas of emergency response, food policy, and foreign aid.