Ashley (Tez) Cortez
About Ashley (Tez) Cortez
Ashley (Tez) Cortez is a Senior Service Designer at Code for America, with a diverse background in program management and design across various organizations, including the United Nations and the Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity.
Current Role at Code for America
Ashley Cortez serves as a Senior Service Designer at Code for America, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on designing services that improve the delivery of government programs. Her work involves collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance user experiences and streamline processes.
Previous Experience in Service Design
Prior to her current role, Ashley worked at the Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity as a Design Lead from 2017 to 2022. In this capacity, she led product management for the Working NYC team, overseeing content, design, development, and strategic workstreams. She also provided recommendations to the First Deputy Mayor’s team and the Children’s Cabinet based on the Early Childhood Opportunities project.
Educational Background
Ashley Cortez holds a Master's degree in Professional Studies from New York University, where she studied the Interactive Telecommunications Program from 2014 to 2016. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Florida, completing her studies from 2004 to 2008. Additionally, she graduated from Mariner High School with a High School Diploma in 2003.
Experience in Program Management
Ashley has a background in program management, having served as a Senior Program Manager at C4Q from 2016 to 2017. During her tenure, she led the outreach, selection process, curriculum design, and operations for the Designed by Community Fellowship. She co-designed and produced the fellowship, facilitating a partnership with TakeRoot Justice.
Early Career Roles
Ashley Cortez began her career with various roles that contributed to her expertise in service design and management. She worked as a Classroom Counselor at Seneca Center from 2008 to 2009 and as a Children's Case Manager at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. in 2010. Additionally, she gained experience as an Information Management Intern at the United Nations - Department of Peacekeeping Operations in 2016.