Ashley Harris
Ashley Harris is a dedicated healthcare specialist and operations leader with more than 25 years of experience spanning healthcare administration, enrollment operations, compliance oversight, and consumer advocacy. Based in Richmond, Ashley’s journey into healthcare was deeply personal. After becoming a young mother at 19 and facing severe health complications herself, she developed a firsthand understanding of the gaps and challenges within the healthcare system. Inspired by her grandmother and great-aunt — recognized among the first Black traveling nurses in Richmond — she began her career as a CNA before transitioning into medical records and business office operations at a hospital in Petersburg, Virginia. Her determination to create a better future for her family led her to pursue higher education while working full time, earning both a Bachelor of Applied Science in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration and Management from Strayer University.
Throughout her career, Ashley has consistently advanced into leadership and operational oversight roles within the healthcare industry. She spent more than 13 years with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she grew from customer service into enrollment management and healthcare operations. She later expanded her expertise through leadership positions with Advantasure, Sonder Health Plans, and currently serves as Lead Medicare Operations Oversight and Monitoring at PSW. Ashley specializes in healthcare monitoring and oversight, Medicare operations, enrollment management, operational compliance, and healthcare transparency. She is especially passionate about advocating for seniors and families navigating complex healthcare systems, ensuring members receive clear, accurate information while policies and procedures are applied fairly and consistently across providers, members, and employees.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ashley is recognized for her resilience, compassion, and commitment to service. After experiencing the devastating loss of her daughter three years ago, she stepped into the role of raising her young grandson while continuing to contribute professionally during a major healthcare merger and health plan development initiative. Those experiences strengthened her empathy and reinforced her belief in transparency, accountability, and equitable care for all. A licensed Certified Insurance Consultant in Life and Health in Virginia, Ashley values lifelong learning and mentorship, crediting her father’s dedication to education and family as one of her greatest inspirations. Outside of her career, she serves as a deaconess and mentors six young women between the ages of 11 and 23, helping guide the next generation through faith, leadership, and encouragement. She also enjoys traveling, bowling, and creating meaningful memories with her family, whom she considers the center of her life.
• Certified Insurance Consultant License (Life & Health), Individual
• Strayer University - MHA
• Legacy Builders
• Deaconess at church
• Mentoring young women ages 13 to 18
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my willingness to learn and take on responsibilities beyond my role. Starting from the ground up as a customer service representative, I embraced every opportunity to grow, develop new skills, and gain experience outside of my normal duties. That mindset helped me expand my capabilities and prepared me for greater opportunities throughout my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my father, who has been both my mentor and role model. My family also encouraged me to put myself out there and make sure people know what I do, which taught me the importance of confidence, visibility, and building meaningful connections.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to first understand what matters most to you and pursue a career that aligns with your values and passions. Growing up, I was often told not to say everything I felt because I’ve always been outspoken, but over time I realized that my voice and passion for doing things the right way — with compliance, structure, guidance, and integrity — were actually my strengths. When I entered this field, it never truly felt like work because it aligned so naturally with who I am and what I believe in.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is finding reliable and affordable technology, especially for startups working with healthcare plans that require PBMs and other essential systems. Another challenge is that the level of compensation does not always reflect the amount of work, responsibility, and dedication the role requires, particularly in today’s economy. For me, healthcare has never been just about a paycheck — I genuinely care about helping people and making a meaningful impact. At the same time, it can be difficult to balance passion with financial stability. I also believe the industry sometimes struggles with complacency, where people lose sight of the purpose behind the work. Staying compassionate, service-driven, and committed to making a difference while also building a sustainable career is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities in healthcare today.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty and accountability. I believe in being transparent, doing what I say I will do, and taking responsibility for my actions. Those values help build trust, strengthen relationships, and guide the way I serve and work with others.
Locations
PSW
Remote, Richmond, VA 23223