The PIO Podcast
The PIO Podcast is a platform for Public Information Officers (PIO's) and Public Affairs Officers (PAO's) in public sector organizations, including Police, Fire, EMS, FEMA, state, local, and federal government organizations. The podcast aims to facilitate learning, growth, and discussion of issues that PIO's/PAO's may encounter within their profession. If you would like to support the podcast and connect with other PIO's/PAO's, please email us at thepiopodcast@gmail.com.
The PIO Podcast
Ashley McDonald - Center for Public Safety Excellence
Ashley McDonald, MPIO is Public Relations/Communications Manager for the North America Fleet Division of Corpay in Brentwood, Tennessee. Before moving into the private sector, she served as public information officer for Murfreesboro Fire Rescue and Rutherford County Fire Rescue departments (Tennessee) for ten years collectively.
She now works in a volunteer capacity as public information officer for both the Emergency Management Association of Tennessee and Tennessee Firemen’s Association, and supports the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association’s Mutual Aid Section.
McDonald holds a B.S. degree in Public Relations from Middle Tennessee State University and has completed both the FEMA Emergency Management Institute and FBI-LEEDA Master PIO programs.
She is a past president of the National Information Officers Association. During her time as president, McDonald led the charge to develop a professional designation and credentialing process for public information officers through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) for which she was awarded NIOA’s “Leadership in Public Information Award” in 2023.
McDonald earned her Public Information Officer designation from the CPSE Commission on Professional Credentialing in 2022 and has served on the Commission as the PIO representative since November 2022.
Ashley's email
Ashley's LinkedIn Profile
Center for Public Safety Excellence Website
