Her Story
About Ashlee
Ashlee Rich Stephenson is a nationally respected political strategist, pollster, and public affairs executive with more than two decades of experience guiding high-stakes advocacy, policy, and corporate strategy efforts in Washington, D.C. She currently serves as President of AxAdvocacy, a government affairs and public affairs firm she was recruited to build and has led for the past three and a half years, overseeing its growth, client strategy, talent development, and day-to-day operations. Under her leadership, the firm has been recognized by Bloomberg as one of the fastest-growing government relations firms in the country for two consecutive years. Alongside this role, Stephenson also serves as Senior Political Strategist to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she directs national political engagement initiatives, oversees the Chamber's political and PAC programs, and advises senior business leaders on strategy in support of free enterprise.
Over the course of her career, Stephenson has advised Fortune 500 companies, national trade associations, campaigns, and public officials on navigating complex legislative and regulatory landscapes. Her background includes work on multiple U.S. presidential campaigns, having served as polling director for Rudy Giuliani's 2008 campaign and as an adviser to Scott Walker's 2016 campaign. She previously led Just Win Strategies as its president and served as principal and chief strategy officer at WPA Intelligence, having started her career in the Strategy Department of the Republican National Committee. A graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in Political Science, she moved to Washington in 2005 and has built her career at the intersection of politics, policy, and business ever since.
Beyond her firm and Chamber responsibilities, Stephenson serves on the Board of Directors for Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, a role she has held since 2014, and has previously contributed to the Board of Advisors for George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management. Her contributions to the industry have earned her recognition as a Rising Star by Campaigns & Elections magazine in 2014 and inclusion in the inaugural class of the American Association of Political Consultants' 40 Under 40 in 2015. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Stephenson credits her success to hard work, self-reliance, and an unwavering commitment to ethics instilled in her from an early age. She now resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband and their two children.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashlee
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, perseverance, and refusing to take shortcuts. I've always believed in taking care of myself and standing on my own two feet, which is why I started working as soon as I was legally able to in Pennsylvania. That early sense of self-reliance, along with knowing I could always provide for myself, has stayed with me throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to figure out what I'm truly good at and make sure I have a seat at that table. I've also learned never to be afraid of trying new things or taking risks, and to always give my very best effort at whatever task is put in front of me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is simple: whatever opportunity you're given, do the absolute best job you possibly can with it. Be the first one in the office and stay late when needed, and make sure every assigned task is completed thoroughly. Don't cut corners — if you hold yourself to that standard, you will succeed and be noticed. At the same time, give yourself grace every day and try to limit the mistakes you can control.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is defining your own voice and learning to speak up for yourself and your work. At the same time, that same environment creates real opportunity — Washington is constantly changing, and with that change comes new problems to solve and new doors that open as a result.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Staying true to who I am and holding firmly to my core beliefs matters most to me, both professionally and personally. Doing the right thing and leading with strong ethics guide every decision I make — I've always believed it's never worth moving in the wrong direction, no matter the pressure to do otherwise.
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