Ashley Harder

Ashley Harder is an experienced business owner and respected community leader who for 20 years has advocated for vibrant neighborhoods, strong local businesses, historic preservation and housing across District 4. As founder of Harder Development and an active member of a variety of economic development, public art, historic preservation and LGBTQ+ organizations, Harder knows how to get things done in our community.

Harder began transforming vacant and underused commercial buildings into bustling centers for shops, restaurants and offices during the Great Recession, while preserving their authentic character and prioritizing deep neighborhood engagement. Her projects — including 335 Commons, the Henry M. Campbell House, Carline Center, and CLIO on McDowell — have helped activate the Central City, Grand Avenue, McDowell “Miracle Mile,” and Roosevelt corridors.

Harder brings the same mindset to public service. She regularly speaks on issues at City Council, Planning Commission and Budget hearings and partners with city officials, developers and the community to solve the housing crisis as a board member of the Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corporation and Phoenix Community Alliance. She believes in increasing housing opportunity while ensuring neighborhoods have a voice and projects are forward-thinking. Harder previously led the historic preservation nonprofit Preserve Phoenix and promotes small-scale, people-centered development through the Urban Land Institute.

Harder advocates for art collaborations that tell Phoenix’s story and preserve culture in our fast-changing city. She helps lead one of the largest mural installations in the Southwest, La Flor Del Pueblo, which incorporates neighborhood oral histories to honor Grant Park’s rich heritage. She also works with legendary artist Jim Covarrubias to exhibit local art through the Corvarrubias Collection and co-founded Treeo art gallery.

Appointed by Governor Hobbs to the Arizona America250 Commission, she is helping plan statewide events to commemorate our country’s 250th anniversary. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Harder was one of the first signers of the ONE Community Unity Pledge, supported a landmark lawsuit defending marriage equality, and has opposed more than 20 discriminatory bills at the Arizona Legislature.

As your next City Council member, Harder is determined to solve problems and deliver results. Her focus is on the issues Phoenix families and small businesses care about: Increasing housing; protecting historic homes; investing in the local economy; healthy, thriving neighborhoods; and a City Hall that truly listens. Her focus from Day One will be putting community first.

Read about What I’ll Fight For →