The Village Green Board of Directors has named Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning as the new Executive Director of The Village Green. She began her new appointment on Oct. 1.
“We are so fortunate to have a person with Ashlie’s background to take on this important role,” said Sue Lewis, Chairperson of The Village Green Board of Directors. “With Ashlie at the helm, The Village Green will continue to be the center of activities for all the people in our community.”
The team at The Village Green from left are Courtney Normand, Community Events Coordinator, and new Executive Director Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning.
Mitchell-Lanning has big shoes to fill replacing retired Executive Director Ann Self and is ready to meet the challenge.
“I am so very honored to be given the opportunity to continue in the footsteps of Ann Self and all the incredible work she and the Board of The Village Green have accomplished in our community,” said Mitchell-Lanning. “It is my hope that I can lead The Village Green into a bright future and build on the strong foundation that has been created”
Self has been The Village Green’s Executive Director since 2012 said Mitchell-Lanning is a great choice to lead The Village Green into the future.
Ann Self recently retired as The Village Green’s Executive Director after holding the position since 2021.
“I have witnessed and admired Ashlie’s work and community involvement for the past several years,” said Self. “She is a creative, gifted, and accomplished leader who will advance the vision, mission, and values of The Village Green into the future.”
Before joining The Village Green, Mitchell-Lanning served as the Associate Director of the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation. With the Foundation she coordinated development efforts, marketing, public relations, and communications with community stakeholders to improve the health and well-being of those in our community. While her focus in previous years has been on expanding healthcare access for those on the Plateau, her eye is now turned toward capitalizing on the already established connection our community has with The Village Green.
From left are Courtney Normand, Ann Self, and Ashlie Mitchell-Lanning at the Hayes Garden in The Village Green.
“What I look forward to the most in the years to come is watching The Village Green grow with the Cashiers community. Not necessarily our physical footprint, but our sense of place. Truly deepening the relationship between the people in our community and what our park provokes in the soul, which is genuine rejuvenation, relaxation, and restoration through the combination of the natural surroundings and community spirit,” she said. “To me, The Village Green is indeed a park for the people.”
Board Treasurer Bill Canby expresses his thoughts on the future of The Village Green “In addition to getting a first-rate successor director to Ann Self,” said Bill Canby, Treasurer, “Ashlie brings with her excellent fundraising skills and use of social media. We expect the transition from Ann to Ashlie to be very smooth as Ann will be in place through December.”
Mitchell-Lanning visits The Village Green regularly saying, “I come to The Village Green almost daily with my family. We walk the trails, enjoy The Village Play, and have had many family and social gatherings at the picnic tables and the Pavilion. I have watched The Village Green expand over the last five years and was lucky enough to host a work event in the new Village Green Commons Hall shortly after its opening in the Winter of 2019,” she said. “The Commons Hall is not only gorgeous, but also very versatile and functional. Attracting community, civic and private events to this new space is one of my top priorities as Executive Director here at The Village Green. I actually can’t wait to see the space outfitted in holiday decorations in the months to come!”
Ashlie grew up in Macon County, NC and currently lives in Cashiers, NC with her husband, Douglas Lanning, and their daughter Ada.
Visit The Village Green’s website HERE to learn more about upcoming community events and how you can support the park for the people.
Read more about Self’s retirement HERE.