Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley De Leon is an Event Manager at dentsu, where she leads the planning and execution of corporate, executive, and client-facing events across the Americas. Working within the marketing and advertising industry, she oversees hybrid event production, workplace experiences, and high-volume pitch support, partnering with cross-functional teams and external vendors to deliver seamless experiences for global brands including T-Mobile, Amazon, Nike, Pfizer, Disney, Spotify, and Google.
Since joining dentsu in May 2019 as an Office Administrator, Ashley has built her career through a combination of adaptability, operational excellence, and a willingness to take on new challenges. During the pandemic, she played an instrumental role in supporting workplace changes and improving internal processes, which ultimately led to her transition into event management. Today, she manages complex logistics, vendor partnerships, and strategic event execution, helping support more than 25 client pitches and activations in fast-paced, high-impact environments.
Ashley’s leadership journey was further strengthened when she was selected as a 2023–2024 Fellow with The Advertising Club of New York. The fellowship provided valuable access to leadership development, industry conferences, and networking opportunities with senior executives, expanding both her perspective and professional network.
As an Afro-Latina leader, Ashley is passionate about representation, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others to grow. Although she did not follow a traditional educational path, she credits her grandmother with teaching her the resilience, accountability, and determination that continue to guide both her personal and professional life.
Looking ahead, Ashley is committed to expanding her leadership in the events industry by managing larger teams, scaling conference and event operations, and ultimately leading a department where she can continue driving innovation, developing talent, and creating meaningful experiences across the marketing and advertising landscape.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to the strong foundation my grandmother, Carmen Cabrera, gave me. She shaped how I approach resilience, accountability, and personal growth, and those values continue to guide me today. I’ve also been fortunate to learn from incredible mentors and sponsors throughout my career, including Charmaine Green-Forde and Tanika Diaz, whose guidance has helped shape my leadership journey. Above all, I believe my growth has come from staying ready—preparing myself for opportunities before they arrive and making the most of them when they do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most impactful pieces of advice I’ve received came from two separate Salon Series hosted by The Advertising Club of New York. During those conversations with Cheryl Guerin, Executive Vice President of Global Brand Strategy & Innovation at Mastercard, and Joy Robins, Global Chief Advertising Officer at The New York Times, I was reminded of the importance of being intentional in both life planning and career decisions. Their guidance reinforced that every choice should align with my long-term goals and that hard work is most meaningful when it’s purposeful. Learning to be strategic, protect my focus, and move with intention—even quietly when necessary—has been invaluable in shaping both my career and my approach to leadership.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to be intentional and strategic about every step in your career. Seek out roles, projects, and experiences that not only strengthen your skills but also position you for long-term growth. At the same time, remember to create opportunities for others as you grow. Open doors, share your knowledge, and invest in the next generation of women in the industry because success is even more meaningful when you use it to help others succeed.
And finally, don’t let fear make your decisions for you. If something scares you, it often means it’s worth pursuing. Growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone, so even when you’re scared, do it scared.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field has been navigating the ongoing impact of pandemic-driven shifts, including restructuring, layoffs, and increased turnover across organizations. At the same time, representation in corporate environments remains limited, which can make access and visibility more challenging for many professionals.
Despite these challenges, the industry continues to present significant opportunities. The growth of hybrid and virtual event formats has expanded how experiences are designed and delivered, while increased national and global coordination across teams has strengthened cross-functional collaboration. Industry networks have also become more influential in creating access and opening doors.
Programs such as The Advertising Club’s I’m PArt fellowship have played an important role in this evolution, offering meaningful access to leadership development, learning, and community that continue to help move the industry forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are family-first priorities, intentionality, resilience, and a commitment to lifting others as I grow. I approach my work with deliberate decision-making, ensuring that what I build reflects both purpose and integrity.
Equally important to me is creating opportunities for others, especially for those who may not always see themselves represented in these spaces. For me, success is not defined solely by personal achievement, but by the impact I have on the people coming up behind me.
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