Who is Ashley?

A curious and voracious learner who is known for the highest personal and professional integrity in every aspect of work and life. A problem solver who easily captures audiences by skillfully deploying genuine enthusiasm with innate ability to connect with others and build relationships. A self-starter who thrives in self-learning, fast-paced environments. A respected trainer/mentor who welcomes challenges others have deemed impossible as well as managing the ordinary day-to-day. A skilled and certified negotiator who asks the right questions, creates a well-defined roadmap and drives to win-win solutions. A personable, highly skilled first responder who has scored in the 95th percentile regarding logic and critical thinking on official exams. Known as an empathetic icebreaker and the most polite bulldog you'll ever meet.

I struggled in high school due to home life and was really nervous about how I would hold up in college. I've always been smart, but didn't have anything tangible to show for it. I initially started college in 2000 at DMACC and after 3 semesters, took a break to begin my first corporate job at Wells Fargo. I went back to school in 2008 and earned my AS (May, 2009) and AA (August 2009). 

I was a guest student at Grandview University and earned some of my credits there.  In the Spring of 2009, I received formal approval from both schools to register for a combined total 27 credits. I completed the first eight weeks at the rate 27 credits. Due to my dissatisfaction with Grandview, I dropped the 2nd set of 8-week courses and successfully finished with 21 credits. I hoped that would be my last 21-credit semester, but I'm proud to say I maintained my success with additional semesters as rigorous as this. After this whirlwind of a semester, I graduated with honors.  This accomplishment was about more than grades to me. It was about going after something and owning it like a boss! I could not have done this without the support and enthusiasm of my professors. 

I moved from Des Moines to Iowa City to continue my education at the University of Iowa - Tippie College of Business where I earned my Bachelor of Business Administration. My diploma specifies management, but I was blessed in that I had AMAZING professors focused on negotiations and took part in as many of those classes I could find. I've always been good at getting what I want, but they truly helped me hone my natural talent. 

Earning an MBA is next on my list. :)