Ashley Coneff is an interdisciplinary leader in government affairs and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) with experience as a litigator, public servant, and lobbyist. She currently leads the government affairs and ESG teams at Inspire Brands, serving more than 2,900 franchisees and more than 32,000 restaurants. Her team engages in policy at all levels of government and inspires a 32+ billion company to be a better steward of the world’s resources and to better care for the communities they serve. She is well-known throughout the hospitality industry for her success in promoting and defending restaurant brands and small business and helping them achieve their sustainability and governance goals. In 2023, Ashley was named as one of The Hill’s Top Lobbyists. Ashley also has demonstrated success in facilitating organizational process and change.
After graduating law school in her home state of Michigan, she began her career practicing law in prosecution and later at a business litigation firm. She then joined the Michigan Supreme Court as a liaison to legislative and executive branch agencies. Following success in both the public and private sectors, Ashley found her passion in the restaurant industry. She first joined the Domino’s Legislative Affairs team, where she worked on both state and federal public policy, and after three years, she joined Dunkin’ Brands in various progressing roles, culminating in Senior Director of Federal & State Government Affairs. When Dunkin’ joined the Inspire Brands portfolio in December 2020, she was promoted to Vice President of Government Affairs and ESG, where she now leads the lobbying efforts of all seven brands as well as ESG strategy for the second-largest restaurant company in the United States.
Ashley serves as a dual Board Member of the National Restaurant Association and Education Foundation, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, the National Council of Chain Restaurants, and the International Franchise Association Law Center. She also serves as a steering group member of Serving Europe, an organization which represents food and beverage chains in Europe. Finally, Ashley serves on the board of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, which works to bring the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness.
