Ashley Kolaya is the founding Executive Director of the Mental Health Storytelling Initiative (MHSI), a coalition of more than 80 organizations across entertainment, philanthropy and mental health working to transform how mental health is portrayed in media. Her work focuses on bridging storytellers, industry leaders, and mental health experts to support narratives that deepen understanding, reduce stigma, and foster connection.

With more than 15 years of experience at the intersection of storytelling and social impact, Kolaya has built initiatives that help creators and institutions better understand and engage their audiences. At TED, she helped scale the global youth platform TED-Ed Student Talks and served as the founding Director of Curation and Coaching for TED Masterclass, where she coached speakers and developed programs to help leaders communicate ideas that shape culture.

Kolaya began her career in civic engagement education, leading youth leadership and advocacy programs nationwide through the YMCA and advising organizations globally on youth engagement and mental health. Her resume also includes a stint in commercial salmon fishing in Alaska and on a failing US Senate campaign in Kentucky.