Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Child Welfare Activist, New York Times Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker
Ashley Rhodes-Courter is the quintessential American success story. Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 she was in Florida's foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes”some quite abusive”before being adopted from a Children's Home at the age of twelve.
Ashley Rhodes-Courter is a best-selling author, child welfare advocate, and sought-after keynote speaker whose journey from foster care survivor to national thought leader is nothing short of inspiring. Having spent almost ten years in the foster care system, Ashley overcame adversity to become a powerful voice for change, advocating for children, families, and social justice issues around the globe.
Her book, Three Little Words, chronicles her experiences and has touched the hearts of readers worldwide. It’s a raw, honest portrayal of resilience and the transformative power of hope. As a keynote speaker, Ashley delivers messages that combine her own lived experience with practical strategies for building resilience, leadership, and social responsibility. Her compelling stories and expertise inspire audiences to make meaningful changes in their lives, workplaces, and communities.
Beyond her personal advocacy, Ashley is the founder of a mental health agency, Foundation for Sustainable Families, dedicated to providing trauma-informed care to families and individuals in need. She works tirelessly to improve the foster care system and serves as a mentor to foster youth, proving that no obstacle is too great when paired with determination and the right support.
In her talks, Ashley equips audiences with actionable strategies to overcome adversity, promote advocacy, and foster lasting impact—whether on a personal level or within larger systems. She challenges her listeners to not only think bigger but to act boldly in pursuit of a more just and compassionate world.
With a career devoted to advocacy, public speaking, and philanthropy, Ashley Rhodes-Courter is a leader committed to creating a world where every child and individual has the chance to thrive.
THREE LITTLE WORDS
What three little words could change your life? "Change Your Narrative" In her highly sought-after keynote, Ashley Rhodes-Courter, unveils a journey of survival, resilience, and triumph against all odds. Formerly in foster care, enduring severe abuse, she emerged as an award-winning New York Times Bestselling Author. Prepare to laugh, cry, and be inspired by her firsthand experiences and exceptional insights.
HELPING THE HELPERS
Mitigating burnout, mastering stress-relief techniques for handling anxiety, tragedies, and disappointments. Differentiating authentic self-care from what isn't, promoting self-advocacy and support for others. Ideal for individuals in roles directly serving others—whether through jobs or volunteer work. A powerful reminder that the transformative impact of changing one person's life begins with just one individual
SCHOOLS AS SANCTUARIES
School was a sanctuary for Ashley where she was protected and encouraged by teachers and faculty. These unspoken heroes often do not receive the credit they deserve. Ashley’s trainings and keynotes provide content that help educators identify abuse, neglect, bullying, and explore complicated family dynamics. Audiences leave with useful tools and a renewed sense of purpose and passion.
POWER OF PERSPECTIVE
Delving into the Growth Mindset: Unlocking Potential; Distinguishing Between Major and Minor Challenges; Self-Discovery and Processing the World; Practical Insights for Cultivating Optimism; Extracting Lessons from Experiences; and Motivating Audiences to Prioritize Solutions over Problems. Through this reframing process, audiences acquire skills to confidently navigate challenges, embrace new opportunities, master effective communication, and overcome imposter syndrome.
BE THE CHANGE
Adversity, and even trauma, possesses the power to fuel growth and transformation. Embrace the inevitability of change to excel both in the workplace and in your personal life. Ashley Rhodes-Courter guides audiences to navigate challenges with flexibility and an open mind amid emergencies, cultural shifts, and personal trials. Drawing from personal experiences, Ashley illustrates how tragedies can be transformed into purposeful triumphs.
The buzz after the luncheon was palpable ~ our guests love Ashley! She is a brilliant speaker who tells a tragic story is a poignant way yet keeps you in stitches. Brilliant! And, on a personal level, I truly enjoyed meeting such a warm and engaging young woman. I so wish she lived closer ~ I’d love to take her to lunch to thank her, celebrate her and get to know her a little better.
DALLAS CASA
On behalf of all of us here at Pendleton Place, THANK YOU for being such an integral part of a very successful day! We’ve received so many compliments and messages of positive feedback about this morning’s benefit breakfast including high praise for your ability to share such a critical message in an accessible way (with plenty of humor inserted to keep us all smiling!). It was our honor to host you, and your words have already done much for the children and families we serve. If you are ever in our neighborhood in the future, we’d love for you to stop by our campus and check out what we’re up to!
PENDLETON PLACE
