Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley Smith is a sales and operations professional with extensive experience in the supply chain and transportation industry. Since entering the field in 2014 on the freight side, she has built a diverse career spanning customer service, sales coordination, business development, account management, and outside sales. She currently serves as a National Account Manager at Milestone Equipment Leasing, where she focuses on equipment solutions and works with customers to understand their needs and develop practical, reliable fleet strategies.
Throughout her career, Ashley has developed expertise in supply chain operations, national account management, forecasting, sales, market trends, customer satisfaction, and business growth. Her relationship-driven approach centers on understanding customers, creating effective solutions, and following through with dependable service. She is also involved with Women in Trucking and is passionate about encouraging women to pursue opportunities in the transportation industry. Ashley credits her success to her family, mentors, and support system, while emphasizing transparency, honesty, hard work, confidence, and continuous learning.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Ashley enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, hunting, fishing, meeting new people, and volunteering. She supports causes including multiple sclerosis awareness, animal rescue, PTSD and suicide prevention, and Wreaths Across America. As someone who has progressed through a traditionally male-dominated industry, Ashley encourages others to remain confident, keep learning, and recognize that skills developed in one role can be carried into new opportunities. Her career reflects a commitment to building strong relationships, adapting to change, and helping customers navigate an evolving transportation and equipment market.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the people around me, especially my mentors, family, and support system. Their guidance, encouragement, and belief in me have played a meaningful role in my growth and achievements.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to have confidence in my abilities and trust the experience I’ve gained. When I was nervous about moving from sales support, I was reminded that I know how to solve problems and that I could take what I had learned and apply it to new challenges—and do even better.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's a male dominated industry so there probably a ton of advice but I would say keep your head up remain confident have confidence and never stop learning
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now our biggest challenges are just the flexing of the market. The market is tightening. Rates are rising, cost of aluminum is rising. The Hyundai plant is not going to open. Opportunities include constant growth, career opportunities to move up, and supply chain/trucking is a solid foundation for a career with stable employment. Concerns about autonomous trucks potentially replacing human drivers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Transparency, honesty, and hard work are the values most important to me.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.