I’m Jess Young McLean — an Asheville-raised nonprofit leader, caregiver, and community advocate — running for City Council because I believe our city’s greatest power has always been its people.
After Hurricane Helene, neighbors showed up for neighbors in extraordinary ways. That spirit of care, mutual aid, and shared responsibility is still here, and it’s what will carry Asheville forward.
I’m running to put children and families first, center lived experience, and lead with transparency, equity, and care.
Rooted in Care. Leading with Courage. Building Together.
Moving Asheville Forward With Action & Intention
Asheville is at an important crossroads.
The path ahead will require strong action, bold steps, and leaders who know how to turn vision into reality with care, collaboration, and accountability.
My experience has prepared me for that work.
Over the past 15+ years, and especially through my leadership in local nonprofits, I’ve helped build partnerships, move resources, and strengthen systems that serve Asheville’s children, families, and neighborhoods. I’ve learned that meaningful progress comes from showing up, listening closely, and doing the work together.
These experiences shape how I approach leadership: grounded in relationships, informed by lived experience, and focused on results that last. The future Asheville deserves will take intention, courage, and action - and I’m ready to help lead that work.
Experience at a Glance
$2.5M+ mobilized to strengthen community programs and services
Sustained organizational growth, with responsible budgeting and oversight
Expanded access and reach, prioritizing communities historically left out
Cross-sector partnerships across schools, nonprofits, recovery agencies, and local government
Board President of Association of Fundraising Professionals WNC, Board President of Stewart/Owen Dance, Member of Steering Committee of Just Recovery Collaborative, Member of Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group, Member of Buncombe County Schools Advisory Committees, Volunteer Grantwriter, 2025 Leadership Award Winner (PROpel AVL), Leadership Asheville 42 Graduate
Puerto Rican heritage on my mother’s side and speak conversational Spanish
What I Value
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“A community’s first responsibility is its children.” - Octavia Butler
When we invest in children — in early learning, education, safe spaces, and opportunity — we are also investing in affordable housing, climate resilience, economic mobility, safer communities, and healthier families.
Education is not a silo.
It is the foundation of everything.
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The best decisions come from understanding real lives, not just reports or statistics. When we take the time to learn from lived experience, policies become more humane, more effective, and more grounded in reality. Getting close to the work turns abstract “issues” into people and shared responsibility.
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I believe in leading with “and,” not “but.”
We can care about public safety and community health.
We can support small businesses and workers.
We can recover from disaster and reimagine what’s possible.Our shared humanity is not a weakness, it’s our greatest strength.
Focus Issues
Children & Families
Invest in youth services, out-of-school learning, and safe “third spaces”
Support innovation and growth in early childhood education
Partner with nonprofits, schools and educators to close opportunity gaps
Housing & Recovery
Use CDBG-DR recovery funds responsibly and transparently
Expand affordable housing options and housing stability
Address homelessness through housing-first and prevention strategies
Transit & Access
Improve reliability and connectivity of Asheville’s transit system
Ensure residents can get to work, school, healthcare, and services
Reduce barriers for people without cars
Poverty Reduction
Address racial wealth and opportunity gaps with intention
Prioritize policies that reduce poverty and support working families
Center lived experience in decision-making
Community Safety
Support community-based health & safety strategies alongside first responders
Invest in prevention, mental health, and harm-reduction approaches
Build safer neighborhoods through connection and care
I believe now is the time to increase transparency in city decision-making, improve communication with Asheville’s residents, and strengthen accountability within city departments and the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville.
Transparent & Accountable Government
Who I Am
I was raised here, attending Estes Elementary, Valley Springs Middle School, and T.C. Roberson High School, by parents who modeled service every day. My mom was a nurse, teacher, and translator. My dad spent decades as a surveyor, helping shape the city we live in.
Today, I live in Oakley, work at Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe in Pisgah View Apartments, and serve families across Asheville and Buncombe County as a nonprofit leader, board chair, and recovery advocate.
A few of my favorite things:
Star Trek (for its belief in cooperation, ethics, and problem-solving across differences)
Talking about education, equity, and community power
Conversations with neighborhoods at a local coffee shop
Supporting local arts and creative spaces
Being outside in and around the mountains
Great beer made by people I love
Always staying curious, always learning (shout out to Nerd Nite Asheville!)
News & Updates
1/5/2026
Press Release
Asheville native, Jess McLean announces campaign priorities focused on children and families, affordable housing, poverty reduction, and more.
Jess McLean Announces Candidacy for Asheville City Council
1/5/2026
Asheville Citizen Times
The Asheville Citizen times introduces the candidates in the crowded 2026 race for Asheville City Council.
20 Asheville council candidates vie for only 3 seats; Who are they?
1/9/2026
Asheville Young Professionals Email
Read the AYPros January Newsletter, including information about the 828 Lead program, focused on public service, spurring alums to take action and run.
