How Ashley Jones Built Memento Foundation From Personal Loss

In this episode of Founders Future, with host Zach Young, we’re joined by Ashley Jones, TEDx speaker, author, and founder of Memento Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming grief into healing. Ashley shares her journey from graphic design and photography into founding a global organization that provides free professional portrait sessions and custom photo albums for families facing terminal illness—work inspired by the loss of her daughter and the profound role remembrance played in her own healing.Ashley opens up about building and scaling a nonprofit, navigating the realities of fundraising, and challenging outdated perceptions around nonprofit marketing and sustainability. She also discusses Memento Foundation’s recent pivot toward hospital partnerships and mini-session models, her transition from executive director to creative and strategic roles, and what’s next as she steps into a new chapter focused on speaking, consulting, and her upcoming book on grief and healing. The conversation highlights the power of empathy, legacy, and creating space for grief—both in personal life and in the workplace.