A powerful testimony of overcoming childhood trauma, foster care, and mental health challenges through faith in Jesus Christ, revealing how God's grace transforms brokenness into redemption and purpose.
“
Setbacks don't define me. I've learned to trust God's timing, grow from every obstacle, and move forward with confidence, knowing every challenge has a purpose.
Ashley Lackey · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley Lackey is a Guest Relations Coordinator and administrative professional at University Tire and Auto in Auburn, Alabama, with approximately 16 years of experience supporting automotive and business operations. In her current role, she helps manage daily administrative functions, customer communications, warranty processing, parts and tire coordination, and overall guest relations. Ashley is dedicated to ensuring customers feel welcomed, informed, and confident throughout their service experience while supporting technicians, vendors, and management behind the scenes.
Before joining University Tire and Auto, Ashley gained extensive experience managing business operations in the automotive and marine construction industries. She served as Business Manager for Deep Water Dock Services, where she oversaw day-to-day operations, financial management, customer satisfaction, and organizational processes. She also managed her father’s business, developing strong skills in leadership, problem-solving, and operational coordination. Her background has strengthened her ability to build relationships, create efficient systems, and adapt to new challenges across different industries.
Ashley’s professional philosophy is built on communication, honesty, kindness, and serving others. She believes that success comes from building meaningful relationships and treating people with respect. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her daughter, family, and friends, as well as painting, writing devotionals, swimming, and sharing positivity and faith with others. She credits her father as an important mentor who inspired her through his strong work ethic and dedication. Ashley continues to encourage women entering the automotive industry to be confident, stand their ground, and embrace opportunities for growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
I owe all my success to God, because without him, I would not be where I am today. It's taken a lot of prayer, a lot of growth, but a lot of trusting in his plan.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Do not quit when things got hard. Even if you didn't know what you were doing, you learn and adapt. Attitude is a choice and excellence is a habit.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let the men scare you. Because being in the automotive industry is mostly men. But it does take a woman's intelligence to work in the automotive industry. You have to be tough. You definitely have to stand your ground and stand by your beliefs. Never back down. Don't let anybody tell you you can't.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Not being mechanically inclined. Getting back into it after about 7 years, you have to kind of relearn things. The auto industry changed a lot in 7 years.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Communication and honesty. I'm very big on communication, personally, both personally and professionally. The next would definitely be honesty. Without honesty, there's no relationship.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Ashley
God's Grace Changed Everything
From Brokenness to Redemption: How God's Faithfulness Transformed My Life
Everyone has a story. Mine is one of brokenness, resilience, and, ultimately, redemption through Jesus Christ.
A Childhood Marked by Instability
When I was six years old, my parents divorced. My mother struggled with substance abuse, and because of that, my childhood was filled with instability. My sister and I lived in multiple states, never really knowing what "home" was supposed to feel like.
As a child, I became a victim of childhood sexual abuse—an experience that left emotional wounds I carried for many years. By the age of eleven, my sister and I were placed in foster care. Those early years were marked by uncertainty, fear, and the feeling that life was happening to me instead of for me.
When I was twelve, my sister and I moved to Alabama to live with our dad. While life became more stable, the hurt from my childhood didn't simply disappear. Like so many others who have experienced trauma, I learned how to survive, but I hadn't yet learned how to heal.
Blessings and Challenges in Adulthood
As I entered adulthood, life continued to bring both blessings and challenges. At twenty-four, I married and became a mother. Holding my daughter for the first time changed me. She gave me purpose and inspired me to become the kind of parent I had always longed to have.
At twenty-nine, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PCOS. Eventually, my battle with PCOS led to a partial hysterectomy. Those diagnoses brought physical pain, emotional struggles, and moments when I questioned how I would keep moving forward.
For much of my life, I carried wounds that no one could see. I searched for peace in many places, but nothing truly filled the emptiness in my heart.
Everything Began to Change
Then, in January 2025, everything began to change.
I made the decision to return to church. I wasn't looking for religion—I was searching for hope. I was searching for healing. Most of all, I was searching for God.
The more I pursued Him, the more He began changing me from the inside out. He softened my heart, renewed my mind, and showed me that my identity was not found in my past, my pain, or my circumstances. My identity was found in Him.
In October 2025, I publicly declared my faith through baptism.
That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. God didn't erase my past, but He redeemed it. He showed me that every painful chapter could be used for His purpose and His glory.
My Identity Is Found in Him
Today, I still face challenges, but I face them with faith instead of fear. My past no longer defines me.
- I am not defined by divorce.
- I am not defined by trauma.
- I am not defined by foster care.
- I am not defined by bipolar disorder.
- I am not defined by loss.
- I am defined by the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
When I look back over my life, I can see God's hand in places where I couldn't see Him at the time. He never left me. Even in my darkest moments, He was working to bring healing, purpose, and hope.
Everything I am today is because of Him.
A Story of God's Faithfulness
My story is not one of perfection. It is a story of God's faithfulness. He took a broken little girl and, through His grace, continues to shape her into the woman He created her to be.
I don't share my story because I want people to see how strong I am. I share it because I want people to see how faithful God is.
To Him alone be all the glory.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.