Ashley Fortner is an elephant keeper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, where she works with Asian elephants and contributes to conservation-focused animal care and research. A 2017 graduate of George Mason University and alumna of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, Ashley has helped mentor students, support behavioral research projects, and care for the Zoo’s elephant herd, including the Smithsonian’s first elephant calf born in nearly 25 years. Her work focuses on conservation, animal welfare, and inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders