Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley Rose serves as Executive Director at Mainspring Recovery, a local addiction and mental health treatment facility in Virginia, where she leads with a focus on operational excellence, compassionate care, and team development. With 15 years of experience in the addiction and behavioral health treatment field, Rose has advanced through a variety of roles, including residential aide, lead, manager, and director positions. In her current role, she oversees daily operations across residential, housing, partial hospitalization program (PHP), and outpatient services, balancing client care, staff development, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and organizational growth.
Rose’s passion for behavioral health began after college when she provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism, where she developed a strong foundation in behavioral support and advocacy. She later gained valuable operational experience while working overnight in a residential treatment center during nursing school, which further shaped her commitment to the addiction recovery field. Throughout her career, Rose has been influenced by the mentorship of accomplished women leaders who helped her develop the clinical and operational leadership skills needed to successfully guide treatment programs. She credits her leadership approach to these mentors, her dedication to self-care, and her relationship with the Lord, which serves as a source of strength and grounding.
Beyond her professional achievements, Rose is a passionate advocate for recovery and reducing the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health challenges. She is a co-author of the book Unmute Her, where she shares her brother’s story of addiction and recovery, highlighting themes of resilience, healing, and finding purpose through life’s challenges. Outside of her work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, watching movies, and nurturing meaningful relationships. Following the loss of her brother and supporting her mother through a kidney transplant, family has become an even greater priority in her life, inspiring her continued commitment to com
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith, self-care, and the guidance of mentors who have invested in my personal and professional growth. My relationship with the Lord serves as my foundation and keeps me grounded, while prioritizing self-care allows me to remain focused, resilient, and present in both my work and personal life. I am also incredibly grateful for the mentors who have poured into me throughout my career, offering wisdom, encouragement, and support that have helped shape my leadership style and the leader I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received came from the female leaders in the behavioral health field who mentored and guided me throughout my career. Their support, wisdom, and encouragement helped me develop both the clinical understanding and operational leadership skills needed to effectively lead treatment organizations. Their example showed me the importance of continuous learning, strong leadership, and investing in others, which continues to influence the way I approach my work today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the behavioral health industry is to prioritize taking care of themselves while building a strong foundation for their careers. It is important to seek out mentors who believe in you, challenge you, and support your growth along the way. I also encourage women to explore the different paths within the field, whether medical, clinical, or operational, and identify the area where their passion and strengths align. By staying committed to personal growth, learning, and surrounding yourself with the right support system, you can build a meaningful and successful career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the behavioral health field today is ensuring individuals have access to the treatment and support they need. Barriers such as insurance limitations, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system can make it difficult for many people to receive care. At the same time, there is a significant opportunity to continue breaking the stigma surrounding addiction through education, awareness, and advocacy. By increasing understanding and compassion around substance use disorders, we can help more individuals seek treatment and create stronger pathways to recovery.
05What 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 compassion, integrity, servant leadership, faith, personal growth, and resilience. I believe in leading with empathy, supporting others through their challenges, and creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered. Mentorship and helping others heal are central to who I am, while maintaining balance through intentional self-care allows me to continue showing up as the best version of myself. These values guide the way I lead, connect with others, and make a positive impact in the lives of those around me.
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