New Team Members!
We are thrilled to welcome three new staff members to the Live Tampa Bay team and we are excited for you to meet them out in the community.
Ashley Neal – Chief Outreach & Operations Officer
Ashley is an advocate for behavioral health related issues, a Florida native and a person in long term recovery. With a bachelor’s degree in communications and two decades of experience in the non-profit and private sector, she has a keen understanding of how the business community and the general public can access resources in the prevention, treatment, and recovery ecosystem. Ashley has lived and worked in the Greater Tampa Bay Area her entire life and is committed to breaking down stigmas, empowering others to embrace recovery, advocating for effective public policy, and engaging in meaningful community involvement.
Ashley is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeland and is active in the local recovery community. Additionally, she is an Advisory Committee member for the Hillsborough Recovery Coalition (HRC), a Board Member for the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance (HCADA), and a member of many other behavioral health focused coalitions throughout the state of Florida, including the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition, Florida Recovery Friendly Workplace Coalition, and Floridians for Recovery.
Ashley lives in Lakeland, Florida with her husband Rob, daughter Caycie, two Boxers, Laurel & Nash and cat, Jolene. In her spare time, Ashley co-hosts the Broken Minded Podcast with her long-time friend, Ally, and is a child advocate with Guardian Ad Litem. She also enjoys cooking, gardening, photography and CrossFit.
Ashley Paquin – Community Liaison, Manatee & Sarasota
Ashley is the new Community Liaison for Manatee and Sarasota counties. She brings a strong background in nonprofit and substance use disorder (SUD) work, along with a deep passion for community health. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Health and Wellness from Curry College, with minors in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies, and a Master of Public Health from Southern New Hampshire University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs and visiting the beach.
Linda Parsons – Community Liaison, Pasco & Pinellas
Linda has been in the healthcare industry for 20-plus years, with at least half being in the mental health/behavioral health sector. Linda’s background is diverse; she has worked with individuals of all ages in foster care, mental health, substance treatment, behavioral health, and home health settings. She has worked in the capacities of both social work and business development.
Linda is a strong advocate for overdose prevention, education, and intervention, as well for the importance and efficacy of treating the whole person in an inclusive community for successful outcomes.
Linda has two adult daughters: the youngest is an active-duty member of the Air Force in Special Ops Nuclear Intelligence and the oldest is working on a degree in Behavior Modification and Psych Nursing. When she’s not spending as much time with her daughters as possible, Linda is an avid reader who enjoys writing and being immersed in the Tampa creative arts community. She also enjoys the relaxation and peace that comes with Yoga, mindfulness practices, and meditation. Linda is a professional photographer and still spends time behind the lens when she can.