Brushwood’s Impact in 2025

Flourishing Together: Ashley’s Brushwood Story

Ashley Cullen-Williams first came to Brushwood when she worked as TRiO Educational Talent Search manager in Waukegan. She was looking for a safe place for staff and students to relax and connect after the pandemic. Little did she know that she was stepping into a new chapter, one that culminated in her becoming Brushwood Center’s Senior Program Director.

The following film shares Ashley’s story, and highlights Brushwood’s impact through her unique perspective. This video, created by our videographer in residence, Kateryna Sazonova, debuted at the 2025 Smith Nature Symposium Awards Dinner, and we wanted to share it with our entire community. Watch Ashley’s Brushwood journey from participant, to partner, to director!