Placemaking, Public Art and Culture Board

Ashley Mercurio is the National Events Director and Managing Partner for The Anthem Group – a collection of highly acclaimed and award-winning entities. Since starting with Anthem, Ashley has become widely recognized as one of the most respected and gifted events coordinators in the country. With extraordinary talent to produce private events while keeping an equally strong focus on public programs, Ashley is responsible for overseeing internal and external event operations for all Anthem properties. Additionally, she manages Anthem’s highly renown global internship and fellowship programs which collaborates with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions.

As an expert in venue and site selection, creative and décor design, event cataloging, pedestrian traffic flow and large-scale project management, Ashley plays an integral role in Anthem’s everyday success. She is the client liaison for Anthem’s high-profile galas, media launches and similar projects - and has coordinated hundreds of all-encompassing events from pre-event planning to post-event analysis. Ashley's brilliant gift with complex production and efficient organization has made her Anthem's leader on many internal procedures and operations. She straddles a hybrid of internal and external responsibilities. Ashley spearheads a mixture of wide-reaching operational, administrative and personnel duties while also leading creation, innovation and execution of both Anthem initiated and client-driven programs and projects. This rare skillset to be both creative and operationally proficient is a hallmark of Ashley’s abilities.

Ashley has composed the production and execution of all fashion-based events, directed the personnel and operations for Anthem’s 80-market International Music Festival and oversaw vendor operations for Boston’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular for over ten years. She oversees more than 100 suppliers, contractors and partners annually. One of Ashley’s most beloved contributions to The Anthem Group is the conception and execution of the renowned New England Dessert Showcase – the country’s original and leading boutique dessert experience.

Externally, she also spearheads most of Anthem’s community and philanthropic partners, which now includes over 150 different organizations. Additionally, she manages an entire team that orchestrates nearly 500 public programs and events annually. On a weekly basis she directs more than a dozen client driven events, projects or campaigns.

As a leader of Anthem’s core values and philosophies, Ashley energetically serves as Chairwoman of Anthem’s own Placemaking and Public Art Advisory Board. She leads the majority of Anthem's initiatives, such as the annual youth trick or treat Halloween celebration, Anthem committees on community programs and previously was a member for the Easter Seals Regional Board. Ashley showcases much of her philanthropic endeavors through her work at Anthem with non-profit partners, but notably enjoys collaborating with charitable organizations such as Cradles to Crayons and dozens of others.

Ashley graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Sociology with Honors and was most recently named as one of LASSO’s Top Women in Events in 2020. 

When she isn’t creating, managing and coordinating with The Anthem Group, Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter (and soon to be second daughter) and two dogs. She enjoys family-time and activities such as baking, watching movies, sports and vacationing anywhere warm!