September 2, 2026
Ashley Finch and Denise Shields were recently recognized for leadership advancing Fresh Start’s programs, people, and mission.
PHOENIX, AZ (September 2, 2026) – Fresh Start Women’s Foundation announced the promotions of Ashley Finch to Vice President of Community & Client Engagement and Denise Shields to Vice President of People, Culture & Administration. The promotions recognize their leadership and contributions to strengthening Fresh Start’s programs, client experience, community partnerships, workplace culture, and organizational effectiveness.
Finch will provide executive leadership for Fresh Start’s programs, client engagement, and community partnership initiatives. She joined Fresh Start in 2019 as Volunteer and Outreach Manager and has since advanced through multiple leadership roles, most recently serving as Senior Director of Community & Client Engagement. During her time with Fresh Start, Finch has helped revamp the organization’s volunteer program, advance its client intake process, helped transition in-person programming to hybrid offerings, allowing the organization to serve women both in-person and virtually, and implement a centralized learning platform designed to create a more connected client experience.
Shields will provide executive leadership for human resources, organizational culture, facilities, and administrative functions while serving as a strategic advisor to Fresh Start’s senior leadership. She joined Fresh Start in 2023 as Director of Human Resources and was promoted to Senior Director of People, Culture & Equity in 2024. Her accomplishments include redesigning Fresh Start’s annual performance management process, strengthening employee engagement and professional development, enhancing onboarding and staff communications, and standardizing human resources policies, systems, and processes.
“Ashley and Denise have each made a meaningful impact on Fresh Start and the people we serve,” said Kim McWaters, President and CEO of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. “Ashley’s leadership has strengthened how women connect with our programs and community resources, while Denise has helped build a strong workplace culture where our employees can grow and succeed. Their promotions recognize the leadership they have demonstrated and the important roles they will continue to play as we advance our mission and create greater opportunities for women.”
Finch brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience in program development, community engagement, and project management. Shields brings more than 15 years of human resources and organizational leadership experience across nonprofit and private-sector environments.
Fresh Start’s mission is to provide access and resources that help women achieve self-sufficiency and use their strength to thrive. Our ultimate vision is to create unlimited opportunities for women. For over three decades, Fresh Start has supported more than 65,000 Arizona women, serving approximately 5,000 women each year who are 18 years and older. 60% are single mothers, 67% make an annual income less than $25k, and 72% are domestic violence survivors. These women face a variety of barriers hindering their ability to be personally or financially self-sufficient, including generational poverty and unemployment. Fresh Start offers focused programs, services, access to training and education, as well as employment and career services to help women reach their personal and professional goals through our signature Impact Program. For more information, visit freshstartwomen.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.