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ABOUT LEO

Leo Ashe grew up as a Jewish, evangelical Christian (aka "Jew for Jesus") and conservative Republican in middle-class New Jersey. But before starting high school, Leo’s family moved to Texas so his parents, who are both pastors, could attend Dallas Theological Seminary. Over time, thanks in part to the nudging of a few teachers, Leo began thinking for himself, and after years of obsessive research, he eventually became a progressive.

 

After high school, Leo joined his brother at Moody Bible Institute, with the intent of becoming an inordinately liberal pastor. But, unsurprisingly in hindsight, his progressive views weren't very popular, which led to a life-changing realization: if everyone he trusted could be so wrong about politics, what if they were wrong about God too? So Leo turned his attention to philosophy and theology. But unfortunately, his epistemic questions weren’t particularly welcome at Moody either. So he transferred to Rutgers University in New Brunswick to study Political Science and Philosophy, and in-between classes and extracurricular activities, he challenged everything he thought he knew. Then, fast forward years later, Leo graduated Summa Cum Laude, and about a year after that, he finally concluded his research and became a (friendly) Atheist.

 

At this point, Leo already had years of experience working in business, law, and politics. So in his search for a new yet meaningful challenge, he ultimately became a high school teacher in Washington, DC via Teach for America (TFA), and then he later traveled with friends to teach English, Writing, and Debate while abroad in China. 

 

But despite his foray into education, Leo always stayed involved in politics. However, he eventually began to feel disillusioned by the inaction, corruption, and incompetence on both sides. Finally, in the wake of the 2016 election, Leo reached his breaking point. Tired of working on ideas that had no chance of passing, after a decade or so of working idealistically in various political offices and campaigns, it became increasingly obvious that he could accomplish little, if anything, from the inside.

 

So Leo developed a strategy, which in due time led to the founding Voltaire Cannabis, a philosophy-themed boutique cannabis dispensary centered around making the world better by using our profits to fund vital progressive causes (with an emphasis on climate change, inequality, social justice, and voting/campaign finance reform).

To learn more, subscribe for updates or get in touch.

Leo Ashe Stand Up

Leo Ashe Stand Up

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe and Lana @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe @TheLeoAshe

Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren

Leo Ashe +Elizabeth Warren @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe Logo @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe Logo @TheLeoAshe

Leo Ashe Logo @TheLeoAshe

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders

Leo Ashe + Bernie Sanders @TheLeoAshe

PROFESSIONAL BIO

Leo Ashe is an entrepreneur, non-profit leader, writer, political wonk, comedian, master debater, and cat dad with over 15 years of experience in business leadership, consulting, government, community engagement, and organizational management. His expertise is in research, strategy, leadership, U.S. politics/public policy, creative/technical writing, and cannabis.

 

As Founder/CEO of Voltaire Cannabis, a philosophy-themed dispensary, Leo began this business as a means of giving back, using a percentage of all profits to fund vital progressive causes (with an emphasis on climate change, inequality, social justice, and voting/campaign finance reform). Leo is also the co-founder of the Democratic Policy Center (a progressive, (c)4 non-profit think tank).

 

Leo graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy. He also used to be a high school teacher in Washington, DC (via Teach for America) and in China (primarily teaching English, Writing, and Debate). To learn more, subscribe for updates or contact Leo @ LeoAshe.com

If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.  - George Bernard Shaw

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