Ashley Deknes-Razevich

I attribute my success to curiosity and a genuine desire to understand both sides of every situation. I’ve always asked questions, and that mindset has helped me see the bigger picture, communicate effectively, and make thoughtful, balanced decisions.

Another key factor has been learning to separate emotion from business. Not every situation requires an emotional response. Being able to step back, assess challenges rationally, and respond thoughtfully has helped me navigate miscommunication, resolve issues efficiently, and stay focused on solutions rather than reactions.

Holding firm professional boundaries has also been important throughout my career. I strongly believe we teach people how to treat us by what we choose to accept. By setting clear expectations and remaining consistent, colleagues and partners know what I stand for and what they can expect from me professionally.

My career really began in the restaurant industry, where I learned the value of paying attention to people—listening to their stories, understanding their needs, and building genuine relationships. Through networking, an opportunity presented itself in an industry I knew nothing about at the time, but I said yes anyway. That decision led to a 15-year career where I worked closely alongside the CEO and controller, gaining hands-on experience that shaped both my work ethic and leadership style. It reinforced my belief in taking chances, staying adaptable, and remaining open to opportunity, because you never know what doors can open—even if the path unfolds differently than expected.

One of the most meaningful pieces of advice I received came from my mentor, who was the controller at our company. Her husband had a phrase—“Make the magic happen”—that started as a joke and eventually became a framed poster in her office. Whenever challenges came up, we’d say it to each other as a reminder that solutions don’t appear on their own; it’s up to us to create them. When she retired, she gave me that poster, and it now hangs above my desk. I still look to it whenever I’m facing a challenge as a reminder to stay resourceful, proactive, and solution-focused.

Another piece of advice that has stayed with me is that your experience is more valuable than you think. While I didn’t complete the bachelor’s degree I once planned to pursue while raising three young children, the experience I gained along the way opened doors and created opportunities I may not have had otherwise. The skills we use every day can become the foundation for something much bigger.

My advice to young women entering manufacturing would be to stay curious, ask questions, and focus on truly understanding how all parts of the business connect. Don’t be afraid to step into spaces where you don’t yet have all the answers—experience and willingness to learn will take you further than perfection. Learn to separate emotion from problem-solving so you can respond thoughtfully, even in high-pressure situations, and set clear professional boundaries that reflect how you expect to be treated. Most importantly, trust the value of your experience. You don’t need a perfect or traditional path to build a strong career—consistently showing up, working hard, and saying yes to opportunities can open doors you may not have expected.

One of the biggest challenges in manufacturing right now is the growing gap between operational execution and customer expectations. Companies are under pressure to move faster, communicate more clearly, and resolve issues in real time, but many internal processes haven’t kept pace. That disconnect often shows up as misalignment between departments, breakdowns in communication, and inconsistent customer experiences.

At the same time, this is also a major opportunity. Organizations that strengthen internal communication, clarify accountability, and streamline processes are seeing real gains in both efficiency and customer retention. A key shift that’s needed is recognizing that the customer journey doesn’t end once the order is won—it continues long after, through consistent communication, reliability, and how well a company shows up when things are easy and when they’re not. Especially in the harder moments, that consistency is what builds trust and long-term relationships.

This is exactly where I see opportunity through Sunshine Consulting—helping companies close internal gaps, improve alignment across teams, and build more intentional systems that support both their employees and their customers throughout the entire lifecycle, not just the point of sale.

The values that guide both my work and personal life center on family, balance, passion, and meaningful connection. I prioritize being present for my kids and intentionally creating shared experiences with them. One of my favorite traditions is our “Explore KC Days,” where we discover new places around Kansas City together—whether it’s a museum, exhibit, or restaurant we’ve never tried before. Those moments of curiosity, connection, and togetherness are incredibly important to me.

I also deeply value the time I spend with my husband, who is both my best friend and biggest cheerleader. His belief in me and constant encouragement pushes me to continue growing personally and professionally and to pursue goals I may have otherwise hesitated to chase.

I value working in environments that feel personal and authentic. I’m fortunate to occasionally work Saturdays at a family-run winery that I’ve been connected to through friendship for years, which makes the experience especially meaningful. Outside of work, I’m passionate about showing horses, which brings me discipline, joy, and fulfillment, even in seasons when I’m not actively competing.

Overall, I’m driven by work and experiences that align with my interests, strengthen relationships, and support a healthy balance between my professional goals, personal passions, and family life.