Ashanti Gray, CFO, CTO
Ashanti Gray is a distinguished fire and public safety executive with 17 years of experience in mission-critical emergency communications and fire operations. She currently serves as Assistant Fire Chief for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, where she oversees governance, enterprise risk, operational oversight, and performance accountability within one of the nation’s busiest public safety organizations. In this role, she is responsible for aligning operational standards, workforce performance, and regulatory compliance to ensure a system where reliability and accountability are non-negotiable.
Ashanti began her career in public safety almost by chance, joining as a 911 Communications Specialist after an interview revealed the role involved handling high-pressure emergency calls. Demonstrating exceptional aptitude and dedication, she quickly advanced through leadership roles, pursuing further education in fire science to strengthen the connection between the communications division and frontline firefighters. Over the years, she has implemented structured KPI reporting, improved operational visibility, and led initiatives that reduced overtime by 24% while increasing service levels by 46%. Her efforts have reinforced preparedness, compliance, and performance integrity across the department.
As the first African American female Assistant Fire Chief in Nevada history, Ashanti is a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry. She is deeply committed to leadership that bridges operational divisions, fosters collaboration, and strengthens public safety outcomes. Her professional philosophy emphasizes integrity, accountability, and resilience, both within her team and in service to the community. Ashanti continues to leverage her expertise to enhance operational performance, governance, and emergency response systems while inspiring the next generation of public safety leaders.
• Assistant Fire Chief
• First African American Female Assistant Fire Chief in Nevada
• University of Phoenix – Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Global Management
• Columbia Southern University – Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Fire Science/Firefighting
• Coleman College – Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Computer Science
• First African American Female Assistant Fire Chief in Nevada History
• Nevada Fire Chief groups
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, adaptability, and a willingness to step into challenging situations. Taking opportunities even when they seem intimidating has allowed me to grow and excel in my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Obstacles make you strong and grow, be resilient.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be Bold, be heard, dont let a male dominated situation quiet your voice. Strive for Excellence, make a difference.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is working in a male-dominated environment. There is an opportunity to improve public safety by bridging the gap between the 911 division and frontline firefighters, and by building a broader professional network for sharing knowledge, strategies, and support.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Investing in my children and family life is a top priority. Professionally, I focus on improving connections between divisions to strengthen service delivery, accountability, and teamwork.