WAYLAND, MI, September 21, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ashley Diersch has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Diersch currently serves as the chief advancement officer at Paws With A Cause, a role she has held since 2024. In this capacity, she manages all fundraising and marketing efforts to increase charitable revenue, oversees the donor portfolio, writes grants, prepares budget projections, and designs fundraising campaigns. Her responsibilities also include managing photography, videography, social media, newsletters and website updates, as well as handling crisis communications. Ms. Diersch's expertise in donor relationships and brand visibility has been instrumental in advancing the organization's mission.

Drawn to Paws With A Cause by a desire to return to work focused on the disability community, Ms. Diersch combines her passion for non-profit service with her love for dogs. The organization provides five types of placements: service dogs for children with autism, physical mobility service dogs, hearing dogs, medical alert detection dogs and seizure response dogs. Facility dogs are also placed in hospitals, schools, law enforcement agencies and other non-profit organizations.

Ms. Diersch's most significant professional achievement occurred during her tenure at Paws With A Cause when she led a comprehensive rebranding effort from December 2024 to early fall 2025. This initiative included updating the website, videos, photography and all print materials while simultaneously completing a capital campaign.

Although most funds had been raised prior to her arrival, Ms. Diersch oversaw the completion of building renovations, donor recognition initiatives and the creation of naming opportunities. She organized both a public announcement and a private reception to celebrate the new facility. Throughout this process, she adapted quickly to the organization's operations and team dynamics. Under her leadership, Paws With A Cause continued to support over 400 active teams across 30 states from its single office in Wayland.

Prior to joining Paws With A Cause, Ms. Diersch served as the vice president of community impact at Meals on Wheels Western Michigan from 2023 to 2024. In this position, she contributed to programs that addressed food insecurity among vulnerable populations in the region.

From 2021 to 2023, Ms. Diersch was a vice president of development at Kids' Food Basket after having served as senior development director from 2020 to 2021 and development director from 2018 to 2020. Her earlier roles at Kids' Food Basket included senior development manager from 2016 to 2018 and senior manager of corporate and foundation relations from 2014 to 2016 in Grand Rapids. Across these positions, she played a key role in expanding fundraising capacity and strengthening community partnerships.

Between 2012 and 2014, Ms. Diersch was marketing and development director for Special Olympics Michigan in the Greater Grand Rapids area. She previously held the role of development manager for Special Olympics Michigan in the Detroit metropolitan area from 2007 to 2012. Her career began as a communication coordinator at Painters Supply and Equipment Company in Detroit from 2004 to 2007.

Outside her professional titles, Ms. Diersch is recognized for her commitment to professional growth through membership in the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 2015. She has also served as a mentor and board member within AFP West Michigan and contributed as a National Philanthropy Day committee member.

Ms. Diersch's academic background includes earning a Master of Science in Administration with a focus in leadership from Central Michigan University in 2012 and a Bachelor of Arts in public relations, journalism and psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2006. She further enhanced her qualifications by obtaining certification in non-profit management and leadership from Lawrence Technological University in 2009. The strong community she built among colleagues within fundraising and communications has provided personal friendships, inspiration and mentorship throughout her career.

Reflecting on her career journey, Ms. Diersch's introduction to non-profit work began during college when her sorority adviser joined March of Dimes, inspiring her to consider non-profit service as a viable career path — an uncommon choice two decades ago due to limited networking opportunities. After organizing a fundraising event for Special Olympics Michigan during her studies, she secured her first position with that organization following graduation.

Complementing her professional responsibilities, Ms. Diersch is deeply engaged with civic organizations. She serves as an Athena Council member for the Grand Rapids Chamber beginning in 2026 and was a board member of No Surrender Running Club since 2022. Her ongoing involvement with AFP West Michigan includes roles as mentor, board member and National Philanthropy Day committee member since 2018; she was president-elect from 2021 to 2023.

Ms. Diersch's additional affiliations include board membership with West Michigan Asian American Association through 2023, co-chairing the Grand Rapids International Network since 2018 and serving on committees for GRYP - Grand Rapids Young Professionals, D.A. Blodgett - St. John's and the Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival. She has also contributed as chapter adviser for Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority and participated on the board development committee for Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore.

Throughout her career, Ms. Diersch's achievements have been recognized with several honors. These include People's Choice Winner and Brilliance Award Champion of Service Finalist at the West Michigan Woman's Brilliance Awards in 2025; Notable Leaders in Philanthropy by Crain's Grand Rapids Business in 2025; and MVP Finalist for Metro Detroit Area by Corp! Magazine in 2025.

Born in Seoul, Ms. Diersch enjoys reading and journaling outside of her professional commitments. Looking ahead, she strives to be her best while serving both her organization and community with dedication, aiming always to make a difference in people's lives through her work and volunteerism. Ultimately, Ms. Diersch wants people to be true to themselves, work hard, find a passion and truly find joy in everything they do.

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