CNS Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board
On November 14, 2025, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) honored Dr. Mark J. Ashley, Founder and Executive Chairman of Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS), as Luminary of the Year. This annual award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving care, professional training, and education in the field of brain injury. For over 45 years, Dr. Ashley has dedicated his life to improving the lives of individuals with brain injury and helping them return to life of independence. This tribute video features voices from across the brain injury community celebrating Dr. Ashley’s profound impact on survivors, families, and professionals everywhere.
Dr. Mark Ashley is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Centre for Neuro Skills, which has operated postacute brain injury rehabilitation programs in California and Texas since 1980. In 2011, Dr. Ashley established the CNS Clinical Research and Education Foundation, a nonprofit research organization, and he participated in a blue-ribbon panel on traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress convened by Generals Peter W. Chiarelli and Joseph Dunford. His work has been published in many professional and research publications and he has written four books: Working with Behavior Disorders: Strategies for Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation, 3rd Edition; and Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation, 4th Edition. He has also published numerous research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and holds the position of Chairman Emeritus and is a member of the Business and Professional Council. He serves on the Advisory Panel of BIAA’s project for the development of Guidelines for the Rehabilitation and Disease Management of Adults with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.
Dr. Ashley serves on the Board of Directors of the California Brain Injury Association and is a Chairman Emeritus. He is a Past Chair of the Corporate Advisory Committee of the American Academy for Certification of Brain Injury Specialists and has served on the California Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council.
Dr. Ashley is an Adjunct Professor at the Rehabilitation Institute of the College of Education at Southern Illinois University. He is a past member of the Advisory Committee for the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, and a member of the Advisory Board for the Applied Neuroscience and Neurobehavioral Research Center, University of Cyprus. He participated in preparation of Traumatic Brain Injury Medical Treatment Guidelines for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and serves on several grant review committees.
Dr. Ashley received his Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology and a Doctorate of Science from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. He is a licensed Speech/Language Pathologist in California and Texas and is a Certified Case Manager.
CNS Monthly Newsletter
The latest CNS updates, including events, company information, and patient care developments
The Inside View
Quarterly magazine focused on brain injury research, rehabilitation, and advancements shaping the field
Sign-up for one or both to stay connected with brain injury news and recover
