Ashley Monterusso

Ashley Monterusso (she/her) is a graduate student in the Urban and Regional Planning program at the University of Wisconsin.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Since then she has had a fulfilling career in hospitality where she was afforded opportunities to travel nationally and internationally. Most recently, she held the position of Beverage Director at one of the most renowned restaurants in the country.  Her interests in community building, sustainability, food systems, and community entrepreneurship led her to the field of Urban and Regional Planning. While at UW–Madison, Ashley has led projects relating to the Green Fund at the Office of Sustainability and has worked with Prof. Alfonso Morales and a local non-profit on a Restaurant Challenge in Madison raising awareness about food waste.