AI Consultant Ashley Gross Campaigns for Pittsboro Commissioners Board

Published Date : 7/9/2025 

Ashley Gross, an artificial intelligence advocate and consultant, is one of eight candidates vying for a seat on the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners. She aims to foster community unity and support local growth. 

Among the eight candidates looking to connect with voters in Pittsboro this fall is Ashley Gross, an artificial intelligence advocate, consultant, and course creator.

Gross filed to run for the town government’s Board of Commissioners in July, joining a competitive race to replace the outgoing Pamela Baldwin and James Vose. A resident of the Vineyards neighborhood of Chatham Park, she works as a keynote speaker and consultant for businesses interested in AI practices in the emerging technology space. She leads her own consulting company and serves as the CEO of the organization AI Workforce Alliance.

In an email with Chapelboro, Gross described herself as “a mom who loves this little corner of the world we call home” and is committed to the area. When describing her motivation to run, she stated that helping the greater Pittsboro community feel connected and supported with a variety of resources is key amid the town’s ongoing growth. Initially, she incorrectly mentioned running for a county commissioner seat, but her focus is on the town's board.

“I see the push and pull between people who have called Chatham home for generations and those who are just discovering it,” Gross said. “I believe that our differences are not barriers. They are opportunities to learn from each other. My strength is sitting down with people, even when we disagree, and finding the common ground we share. I am a researcher and an experimenter by nature, and I have seen that the most successful communities are built when people come together around shared interests and goals. That is the kind of leadership I want to bring, one that unites us instead of dividing us.”

Gross cited uplifting small businesses to help maintain the local economy as a key priority, as well as public safety and investments into local infrastructure. “Safe roads, modern emergency response systems, and preparation for the weather risks we face mean families can feel secure no matter what comes our way,” she said. “And as we grow, I will focus on smart development that keeps our small town character intact while building the infrastructure we need for the future.”

Other priorities include having strong local schools, improving partnerships with local colleges, and expanding reliable internet to each home and business—issues that fall more under the purview of the Chatham County government. When describing what she is looking forward to during her campaign, Gross wrote that she wants to hear directly from residents about their “concerns, hopes, and ideas” while listening and using “data and common sense” to inform her policy decisions.

“Every choice I make,” Gross wrote, “will be guided by a simple question: will this keep our families safe, connected, and thriving? At the end of the day, I am just a mom who believes Chatham is at its best when we work as one community, where families stay close, opportunities grow here, and every neighbor feels they belong.”

Gross will be on the ballot along with Freda Alston, Alex M. Brinker, Corey Forrest, Candace Hunziker, Tobais Palmer, Nikkolas Shramek, and Tiana Thurber. The top two commissioner candidates to receive votes will serve four-year terms on the five-seat town board alongside Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp, who is running unopposed for re-election. Election Day for the 2025 fall cycle will be Tuesday, Nov. 4, with early voting in Chatham County’s municipal elections beginning on Thursday, Oct. 10. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: Who is Ashley Gross?

A: Ashley Gross is an artificial intelligence advocate, consultant, and course creator. She is a resident of the Vineyards neighborhood of Chatham Park and runs her own consulting company, AI Workforce Alliance.

Q: What is Ashley Gross running for?

A: Ashley Gross is running for a seat on the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners in the 2025 fall election.

Q: What are Ashley Gross's key priorities if elected?

A: Her key priorities include uplifting small businesses, ensuring public safety, investing in local infrastructure, and maintaining the small town character while supporting growth.

Q: When is the election day for the 2025 fall cycle?

A: Election Day for the 2025 fall cycle will be Tuesday, Nov. 4, with early voting beginning on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Q: How many candidates are running for the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners?

A: There are eight candidates running for the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners, including Ashley Gross. 

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