Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley Timmel, MBA, is a Lead Associate and Contracts Manager at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she specializes in federal acquisition, government contracting, and complex contract administration. With nearly a decade of experience supporting U.S. government agencies, she has built expertise in proposal development, contract negotiation, pricing strategy, subcontract management, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. Recently promoted to Lead Associate, she now supports the FBI account after transitioning from aerospace and defense, continuing to provide strategic acquisition and contracting leadership in a rapidly evolving federal environment.
Throughout her career at Booz Allen Hamilton, Ashley has led and supported every stage of the government acquisition lifecycle, serving as the primary interface between contracting officers, program teams, legal counsel, and industry partners. Her responsibilities include negotiating complex contracts and subcontracts, evaluating solicitation requirements, developing pricing strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advising stakeholders on federal acquisition regulations and contractual risk. Her professional accomplishments include graduating from Booz Allen's LEAP leadership program, earning ten Living Our Values Everyday Awards, receiving the Collective Ingenuity and Ferocious Integrity awards, and serving as a panelist at the company's Rising Leaders Forum, where she shared her experiences balancing executive responsibilities, doctoral studies, and single motherhood.
Ashley holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is currently completing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Business Leadership at Liberty University, having completed her coursework and entered the dissertation phase. She also completed advanced studies in Procurement and Contract Management through the University of Virginia and maintains professional development through the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), including the FAR Overhaul certification. Ashley attributes her success to perseverance, resilience, and the motivation she draws from raising her children while pursuing ambitious professional and academic goals. She is passionate about continuous learning, leadership development, and preparing the next generation of professionals to succeed in government contracting through confidence, expertise, and lifelong growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to an unwavering drive to build a meaningful and fulfilling life, strengthened by becoming a mother. My children have witnessed every milestone, every late night, and every challenge I have overcome, and they continue to be my greatest motivation. Motherhood never slowed me down—it inspired me to push even harder. Without financial support, handouts, or outside assistance, I remained committed to achieving my goals while raising my children alongside me. Every accomplishment represents perseverance, resilience, and the determination to demonstrate to them what is possible through hard work and dedication.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is to distinguish between competing priorities. Some responsibilities are "glass" and cannot be dropped, while others are "plastic" and can wait if necessary. Not every task demands immediate attention, and effective leadership requires understanding which priorities are truly critical. Each day, I focus on protecting what matters most while managing everything else with perspective and intention.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to speak up, develop deep expertise in their field, and never hesitate to take up space—especially in industries that have traditionally been male dominated. Confidence comes from preparation and knowledge, so invest in becoming an expert in your subject matter. Your voice, ideas, and leadership deserve to be heard, and you should never underestimate the value you bring to the table.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The government contracting industry is experiencing significant change, with evolving policies, workforce reductions, budget constraints, and organizational restructuring creating new challenges across the federal landscape. At the same time, tremendous opportunities are emerging through artificial intelligence and digital engineering. I believe success depends on staying ahead of these changes by continuously learning, participating in AI and digital engineering programs, and maintaining a long-term perspective rather than focusing solely on today's challenges.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.