Federal health care programs are known for bureaucracy and complexity. However, Ashley A. H. Gray has built a career in intersecting deep expertise with human connections to improve these prograAs founder and chief executive officer of Onyx Rose Advisors LLC, she empowers clients with solutions grounded in an understanding of their needs and goals. Gray prioritizes listening to clients and asking hard questions to hone human-centered strategies that serve groups that often go under-supported.
A Career Marked by Leadership and Service
Gray is a mission-driven leader whose career exemplifies a commitment to improving health and safety net programs, public service, and systems change. An undergraduate triple major in public policy, English, and philosophy from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Public Policy, concentrating in health policy, from the College of William & Mary, brings both analytical rigor and strategic vision to her work.
Gray’s ability to drive large-scale transformation has been honed through experience leading federal advocacy coalitions and multimillion-dollar government contracts. Her professional trajectory includes key leadership roles at the MITRE Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and Medicaid Health Plans of America. At these organizations, she not only shaped national health policy but also dedicated her time to growing their culture. Gray co-founded employee resource groups, mentored young professionals and emerging leaders, and served on multiple advisory boards.
However, Gray’s motivation goes far deeper than career advancement. “I’m passionate about making America’s safety net better for all stakeholders — especially for the individuals and families they are supporting,” she says. As a result, she stepped away from conventional government affairs work to build Onyx Rose Advisors LLC, a firm founded on integrity and service with a mission to empower organizations with the insights and strategies needed to improve healthcare and fuel innovation.
Strategic Insights for Better Outcomes
Gray’s work stands at the intersection of policy innovation, technical expertise, and human-centered implementation. Through her support of the Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) and state agencies, she brings policy clarity and operational strategy to complex federal programs.
Additionally, Gray works closely with private sector clients to understand the regulatory landscape and market drivers and design solutions that unlock strategic growth. “There are so many innovative private sector and nonprofit organizations that amplify the impact and reach of federal programs. We help them to understand the rules of the road and equip them with strategies to better serve beneficiaries receiving support from these programs,” she says.
People-Centered Leadership
Gray’s leadership style is rooted in servant leadership, not ego. “I view servant leadership as a core principle,” she says. That ethic of listening deeply, empathizing with teams, and enabling others to thrive is the bedrock of her approach.
She fosters environments where autonomy, growth, and mutual trust are foundational, never optional. This philosophy has enabled her to successfully manage teams and massive initiatives. These include a $45 million multi-year federal contract overseeing a cross-disciplinary team of 67 professionals to support states in modernizing their Medicaid Enterprise Systems.
A Bigger Platform for Greater Impact
There’s no performative personal brand driving Gray — just quiet integrity and a deep desire to be a trusted advisor and partner. “First and foremost, my goal is to empower and enable my clients with reliable information and strategies that are clear and actionable for them,” she says.
Gray is expanding Onyx Rose Advisors LLC, taking on more public, private, and nonprofit contracts. However, she’s not interested in growth for its own sake. The ultimate aim is to grow capacity to serve more overstretched agencies, underfunded nonprofits, and community-rooted organizations that need expert guidance but lack the resources.
Gray has built a firm where engaging, meaningful opportunities can be found and where others can find their voice, their agency, and their impact. It’s not flashy. It’s not performative. It’s about moving systems and people forward.
