Jacqueline D. Ashley, Ed.D
Jacqueline D. Ashley, Ed.D, is a leadership development expert, scholar-practitioner, and founder of The Ashley Approach based in Chicago, Illinois. With a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, she brings over a decade of experience in higher education, curriculum innovation, and executive coaching. Her career has centered on helping individuals and organizations build clarity, confidence, and intentional leadership practices that drive meaningful organizational impact.
Most recently, she served as Senior Curriculum Leader and Clinical Assistant Professor at Northwestern University’s Center for Leadership, where she designed and led undergraduate and graduate leadership programs, developed inclusive curriculum frameworks, and coached emerging leaders. She has also held faculty and consulting roles at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and has contributed to national leadership initiatives through the American Society for Engineering Education, where she serves in executive leadership roles.
Through The Ashley Approach, Jacqueline now provides leadership consulting, executive coaching, and curriculum design services to universities and mission-driven organizations. Her work integrates leadership theory, inclusive strategy, and emerging tools such as AI-enhanced learning to support organizational growth and leader development. Grounded in research and practice, she is committed to helping leaders navigate complexity with purpose, authenticity, and impact.
• Human Relations and Diversity & Inclusion
• Improving Your Online Course
• Pasadena City College
• University of La Verne- Ed.D.
• Texas Southern University- M.P.A.
• Clark Atlanta University- B.A.
• Doctoral Merit Scholar Award
• Omicron Mu Delta Honor Society
• American Society of Engineering Education
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc
• Cohort Sistas
• Black Women For Wellness
• Pasadena Tournament of Roses
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my dedication and my belief in myself. I would also say my support network has been crucial to everything I've accomplished.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to stay present. Stay present, and if you're able to take opportunities, take it. That's been guiding for me throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give women entering my industry is to keep advocates, keep upscaling, and continue to take up space. It's so important to continuously invest in your own growth and development, and to confidently claim your place in the field without hesitation.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say that there is an oversaturated market of individuals saying that they do leadership coaching or leadership development work. And there's not a lot of separation that differentiates everyone from each other, so that's why I've made sure to put myself a little different and make it more scientific and research-focused. As a scholar with the theory, I know how to teach individuals to turn theory into practice in a scientific way, which helps me stand out in this crowded field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are integrity, clarity, and transformation. These three principles guide everything I do, both professionally and personally.
Locations
The Ashley Approach
Chicago, IL 60621