What makes a five-year-old girl see a new family moving in, notice another little girl, ask to go meet her, cross the street, knock on the door, and say, “Hi, I noticed a little girl here. Can she come out to play?”
Michele Ashby thinks it's confidence, a feeling of safety, no limitations, no fear of the word no, and an imagination. These are some of the same traits that have propelled her through a successful business career. She has been my lifelong friend ever since that grateful day when she knocked on my door, and I have had the privilege of watching her entrepreneurship flourish in several businesses and nonprofits.
Currently, Michele’s passionate mission is to place qualified, competent, and confident women at the table in boardrooms across the country. Her company, Ace LLC, offers women the opportunity to become CDI.I certified through several class options. Starting with the first interview, Michele peels away the layers of limitations that might be holding a qualified candidate back from raising her hand. She says it’s making the aspirant aware of their top 10%, reaching the ‘cream of the crop’ of their capabilities. Michele makes the women aware of this extra piece that helps them be heard. “I teach them what I call the executive vernacular and the behavior in the boardroom so they’re ready for the interview, succeed in the interview and then are successful in the boardroom”. I enhance what they already have, give the candidate a proper language and branding, and encourage them to own what they have accomplished. In years past women were taught not to brag but a correctly ordered resume will identify the applicant’s best accomplishments that will benefit the decisions being made around the table.
As a corporate executive and multi-board director Michele is leveraging her experience and expertise to help other women reach the boardroom where they can have a positive impact on the business world. I have experienced the power of her friendship and know the impact she makes through all her relationships.
