Barb has dedicated her entire life to going above and beyond for those less fortunate. From serving meals out of her home (still located on campus) before HEP’s kitchen was established, to cleaning the bathrooms of HEP’s very first dorms. Today, because of her hard work, HEP spans a beautiful 8-acre campus.
Leadership Category: Executive Team
Ashley Lowery, President & CEO
Ashley holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of South Florida – Kate Tiedemann College of Business, St. Petersburg. She graduated in 2012 and was a member of the National Honor Society. Before assuming her current position with HEP in 2017, Ashley served as Marketing Coordinator, Director of Marketing and Director of Development & Communications. Having started with HEP at an entry-level position, and working her way up allowed her to gain thorough understanding of the ins and outs of the organization and gives her a unique perspective in her current role as President and CEO.
Ashley currently serves as a member of the Homeless Leadership Alliance’s Provider’s Council, as well as serves as a Board Member for the Pinellas Continuum of Care as a Service Expert. She is also an advisory board member and financial supporter of EmpowHERment, a women’s empowerment group focused on meeting the financial, mental and emotional needs of women across all backgrounds.
Ashley is an Alum of Leadership Pinellas Class of 2016, as well as a past Achievements Director on the Board of Directors for Ad 2 Tampa Bay, a national club for young professionals in the advertising industry. She is also a former member of the Steering Committee for AMPLIFY Clearwater’s AchieveHERS, a women’s networking group in Clearwater.
Ashley has been personally acknowledged as a Tampa Bay Business Journal “40 Under 40” Awardee in 2021 and named “Best CEO” in Creative Loafing’s “Best of the Bay” contest in 2024.
Ashley has a strong passion for serving the homeless population and for fundraising for HEP’s Mission. She considers herself fortunate to have the opportunity to dedicate her career to helping improve the lives of the individuals, veterans and families HEP serves in our community.
In her free time, she enjoys working out, baking, going to the beach and traveling. Ashley and her husband, Mat, currently reside in Seminole with their two children, Estella and Valen.
Katerina Gerakios-Siren, Executive VP of Operations
Michele Backus, VP of Finance
Michele Backus is a dedicated Vice President of Finance, with experience spanning a variety of industries and a passion for helping organizations run smoothly and efficiently. With an MBA in Finance, she brings both technical knowledge and practical insight to her work. Known for her friendly and collaborative approach, Michele works closely with teams across the company to ensure financial clarity and support smart decision-making. She takes pride in making finance accessible and contributing to a positive, results-driven workplace.