Ashley Deese is the publisher and creator of Naturalist’s Guide. Deese formerly led digital media and communications at the Smithsonian Institution’s Science Education Center in Washington, DC. During her time at the Smithsonian, Deese produced titles such as “Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition,” “Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game” and “Stories of Women in STEM at the Smithsonian,” which reached number one on Apple Books.

Deese is a voting member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. She has a certificate in entrepreneurship from Harvard Business School, earned her BS in Biology with a minor in chemistry from Methodist University, and a MA in Interactive Media from Elon University.