Ashley Spence is the founder of the DNA Justice Project, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that champions forensic DNA advocacy and reform. A survivor of a violent 2003 home invasion and sexual assault at age 19 while a student at Arizona State University, Ashley endured years of uncertainty until a 2010 CODIS DNA match identified and convicted her attacker, who received nearly 138 years in prison.
This experience fueled her mission to harness DNA’s power—not only to solve crimes and exonerate the innocent but also to prevent future offenses through expanded databases, tools like Rapid DNA, and better funding. She has testified before legislatures in states all over the country, helping pass impactful laws such as the Liza Fletcher Act.
Ashley is a motivational speaker, victim advocate, and author of the memoir Silent Witness: How DNA Uncovered the Truth and Empowered My Healing, which weaves her personal journey with a urgent call for DNA policy changes. As a mother residing in the Austin, Texas area, her work bridges survivor voices, science, and policy to build safer communities and ensure justice for all.
