Ashley Michalski

I attribute my success to the people who have shaped how I see strength, resilience, and self-worth, especially my mother, my husband, my daughter, and the women in my life who continue to support me.

My mom set the foundation for everything. She raised three girls while earning her MBA and fighting chronic myelogenous leukemia, all while caring for my dad through his own medical challenges. She showed me what resilience really looks like. It wasn’t loud, it was consistent, disciplined, and unwavering. That example shaped how I approach both life and work when things get hard.

My husband Alex has been just as influential in a different way. He has always given me the space to grow into the confident, strong woman I am today. He sees beauty and courage in me through many different lenses, even when I don’t always see it myself. That kind of support has been critical in helping me take risks, find my voice, and step into opportunities with confidence.

My daughter Brooklyn has reshaped how I think about confidence entirely. She’s fearless, outspoken, and unapologetically herself. She doesn’t question whether she belongs, she shows up fully. She’s taught me that confidence isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you choose. I stand taller and speak more directly because of her, and I want to model for her what it looks like to be a strong, self-assured woman.

I’m also incredibly fortunate to have a close group of women in my life who love me unconditionally. They create a space where I can show up as many different versions of myself, driven, vulnerable, ambitious, or uncertain, and feel supported in all of them. That sense of safety and encouragement has allowed me to grow without fear of judgment.

When I look at my success, it’s not just about what I’ve done, it’s about the people who have supported, challenged, and believed in me along the way.

Take up space.

It sounds simple, but it’s something many women must actively learn. Early in your career, it’s easy to read the room and adjust yourself to fit it, to be quieter, smaller, more agreeable. But that often comes at the expense of your voice and your impact.

I think about this visually. There’s a moment in Ted Lasso where Rebecca Welton physically makes herself bigger before walking into the room. That mindset stuck with me, not just physically, but mentally. Walk in with presence. Speak with intention. Don’t shrink to make others more comfortable.

Taking up space isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about being fully present, confident in your perspective, and clear in your contributions. When you do that consistently, people start to recognize your leadership before you even have the title.

Don’t shrink yourself to fit in, especially early in your career.

There’s a tendency to stay quiet, follow direction closely, and avoid making waves while you’re trying to prove yourself. I did that. I thought keeping my head down and doing good work would be enough. What I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t come from staying comfortable. It comes from speaking up, asking questions, challenging ideas, and being willing to put yourself out there, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Discomfort isn’t a signal to step back. It’s usually a signal that you’re growing. Now, I’m okay with making waves. In fact, I see it as part of the job. Waves create movement. Movement creates change. And change is where real progress happens, not just for you, but for the teams and organizations you’re part of.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is still the lack of female leadership, especially in more technical and traditionally male-dominated spaces. At the same time, the industry itself is evolving at a rapid pace. The demand for digital infrastructure has skyrocketed. With the growth of AI, increasing data consumption, and the expectation for faster speeds and always-on connectivity, organizations are under constant pressure to scale and adapt. That creates both complexity and opportunity. Companies are being pushed to rethink how they design, power, and manage infrastructure to keep up with this level of demand.

That’s where I see a major opportunity, not just in innovation, but in leadership.

As more women step into leadership roles, they bring fresh perspective to how we approach these challenges. We’re already seeing more women rise into these positions, and that shift matters. Representation influences decision-making, culture, and what future leaders believe is possible. The opportunity is in that momentum. As women continue to move into leadership, they create space for others to follow, helping to shape an industry that is not only more inclusive, but better equipped to adapt, innovate, and grow.

Taking care of yourself isn’t optional, it’s foundational.

After having my daughter, I went through postpartum depression and anxiety. About six months later, COVID hit. I was navigating life with a newborn during a time of extreme uncertainty and isolation. My husband was an essential worker, so there was constant concern about exposure, and with both of our parents older, support was limited.

For a while, I didn’t fully understand what I was experiencing. I was trying to push through it. Eventually, I realized I needed help. I started therapy, I went on medication, and I prioritized movement and exercise to support both my physical and mental health.

That period changed me. It forced me to take a hard look at how I was managing everything, especially the balance between work and home.

There’s one moment that really stuck with me. I was sitting on the bathroom floor with my laptop, trying to work while giving Brooklyn a bath. A few days later, I broke down because I realized how far things had blurred. I wasn’t present. I wasn’t aligned with the kind of mother or person I wanted to be. That moment became a turning point. I made a commitment to set boundaries, clear, intentional ones. They’re firm, but flexible when needed. I prioritize being present with my family. I protect my time. And I recognize that when I take care of myself first, I show up stronger in every other area of my life.

That’s the value that guides everything I do today, personally and professionally.