Government Relations and Advocacy Team
Ashley G. Bell
Director of Government Relations
American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division
Born and raised in Fort Smith, AR Ashley moved to North Carolina in 1993 to attend Saint Mary's and then Meredith College where she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in biology. After several years working in the legal field she found her true calling in politics. Her time on the staff of two former governors in North Carolina made it clear to her that she was suited to policy and government relations work. She went on to gain health policy experience as a government relations director in three states in the southeast. Ashley joined the American Cancer Society as Director of Government Relations for North Carolina in February 2008. She considers it her greatest accomplishment to have been a contributing member of the team working with the North Carolina General Assembly to pass HB 2 in the 2009 session.
Laura Parkinson
Grassroots Manager for Eastern, NC
I am originally from Buffalo, NY, and yes they do get a lot of snow up there. After graduating high school I enlisted in the United States Air Force. I served for nine years and for a time was stationed in Goldsboro, NC. After I got out of the service I returned to Buffalo and worked for a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and completed my bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
In August of 2001 my grandmother died of lung cancer and the next month I accepted a position in Advocacy with the American Cancer Society in the New England Division. During my time there I had the pleasure of bringing Vermont's first Celebration on the Hill Ambassadors to Washington, D.C. I then moved on to serve as the Director of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont. I was able to work on several successful campaigns, including a clean indoor air law which banned smoking in all work places including restaurants, bars and private clubs; two tobacco excise tax increases (they are currently at $1.99 per pack); as well as increased funding for tobacco control and prevention programs, establishment of smoke free prisons and foster care homes as well as the sale of only fires safe cigarettes.
I am excited to have returned to North Carolina for the southern hospitality, warmer weather and most importantly, the sweet tea! I look forward to meeting each of you and consider it an honor to be able to work with you in the fight against cancer.
Patti Bossert
Grassroots Manager for Western NC
I became involved with the American Cancer Society when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I first served as a volunteer in my home state of New York and then in Florida. In 1999 I joined ACS as a Grassroots Manager and worked on a variety of legislative issues with a focus on a statewide smoke-free air campaign.
I relocated to North Carolina in 2005 and accepted a grant funded position as the Smoke Free Air Outreach Coordinator for North and South Carolina. While serving in this role I assisted many groups in both states in developing local smoke-free air coalitions and still serve on several of those today. I also developed Smoke Free Mecklenburg, the largest coalition of its kind in North Carolina.
I live in the Lake Norman area about 30 miles north of Charlotte, NC with my husband and seven year old son and a house full of pets. My hope for 2009 is that all worksites and public places will be smoke-free!
