Ashlee Shearer has always been a take-charge person.

“When she was about 11 years old, she wanted a horse and kept asking for one,” said her mother, Deb Shearer of Slippery Rock, who had no intention of buying a horse. Yet, at the North Washington Rodeo that year Ashlee won a race and was told to select any prize she wanted.

She picked a lead for a horse ... a horse she didn't have.

“Right after that, she took it upon herself to answer an ad in the paper for a pony. She called the people, set up an appointment, and we ended up buying the pony. We still have it,” said her mom.

Today, at 25, Ashlee is in charge of a lot of things. The latest: raising money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis as one of Pittsburgh's Fifty Finest young professionals for 2011.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Whirl Magazine sponsor the Fifty Finest fund raising efforts and celebrated the 50 honorees Thursday at a gala at Pittsburgh's Omni William Penn.

The 50 were chosen by a steering committee of Pittsburgh leaders and former Fifty Finest honorees based on accomplishments, contributions to the community and commitment to cystic fibrosis.

The nominees are selected on a rolling basis from January to March, and some of the 50 have been trying to raise money since January. Creative fund raising events have included jumping out of an airplane, a “Sex and the City” Pampering Party, Beer Olympics, Casino for a Cure, Clarinet for a Cure and ethnic-themed parties.

Though total funds raised were announced Thursday night at the gala, Shearer will be throwing a party at Ginger Hill in Slippery Rock in early September to raise funds for CF.

She expects to attract a lot of people by having there Todd Gallagher, a nationally known author, journalist and TV/film producer, to interview and film guests for his upcoming movie.

Gallagher's soon to be released documentary, “Todd vs. High School” was featured on NBC's “Inside Edition,” is the product of his experience going back to school as a student in Greensburg. He has cast himself in the starring role along side celebrities like Taylor Swift, Sidney Crosby and Jason Segel.

Shearer is associate producer of the documentary that Gallagher describes as a “study of popularity.”

“She is working on the movie as both producer and subject. She is very smart, hard working and she is reliable. I can trust her with stuff. That's the most important thing,” said Gallagher, a National Merit Scholar and Mensa level genius.

Shearer was nominated for Fifty Finest by her former employer, Steve Steingart, chief at Allegheny County Health Department, where Shearer inspected summer lunch sites that catered to underprivileged children.

“She's a go-getter and stands out as one of the best interns we've had. I thought she'd be a good fit and a person who would work hard to raise money for a cause that is close to my heart,” said Steingart, whose nephew has CF.

Jessica Giarratano, director of development for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Pittsburgh agreed. “When I met with Ashlee, it was easy to see that she was passionate about helping others. Each of the Fifty Finest must commit to raising $2,500 and she didn't seem at all daunted by that,” Giarratano said.

The willowy, brown-eyed blonde is not daunted by much. Her current job as food safety coordinator for Aramark requires her to ensure the safety of food at all of Aramark's major sports and entertainment venues in Pittsburgh.

“I love the environments that my job places me in,” said Shearer, who gets to be behind the scenes at Steelers and Pirates games and concerts like U2, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Jimmy Buffett. She'll be at the Brittney Spears concert tonight at the Consol Energy Center.

Shearer's background and education have prepared her for her work at Aramark. She received a scholarship to play volleyball at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, where she earned a degree in communications and marketing. She also holds a degree from Slippery Rock University in health and safety.

But Shearer said she's learned as much from traveling as she has in the classroom. She moved to Ireland for a few months and described living abroad as a “transformational experience” that took her out of her comfort zone.

“I couldn't get a work visa, but I volunteered at a Fair Trade store for OXFAM, a non-profit organization in Belfast,” she said. OXFAM sells goods made by artisans in third world countries at workplaces in which they are treated fairly, she explained.

Her volunteer work and witnessing the value that the Irish put on family, relationships, and hospitality changed her as a person, she said.

But to Shearer, the most exceptional people she has met are still those in her own family. “My family has provided unconditional love. They are literally the greatest people that I know. When you are constantly immersed in such a positive environment you expect positive things for yourself,” she said.

To donate to Ashlee's cause, visit the website www.cff.org/LWC/AshleeShearer.