Lori Ashmore

I attribute my success to a combination of faith, family, hard work, and the mentors who invested in me throughout my career. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my husband and my four children, whose encouragement has fueled every step of my journey. Their belief in me has given me the confidence to take risks, pursue leadership roles, and ultimately build ECE Talent Partners from the ground up.

I also credit my success to the educators, directors, and owners I have worked alongside for more than two decades. Their dedication inspired me to keep learning, keep growing, and keep advocating for the field I love. I believe that integrity, service, and a willingness to step forward even before you feel “fully ready” are the keys to meaningful leadership — and I strive to model those values every day.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to move forward even when I didn’t feel completely ready. Early in my career, a mentor told me that growth doesn’t happen in comfort — it happens when you step into opportunities that stretch you, challenge you, and require you to trust your instincts. That advice changed everything for me.

I learned to stop waiting for the “perfect moment” and instead say yes to roles that scared me a little, pushed me a lot, and ultimately shaped me into the leader I am today. That mindset is what allowed me to grow from a toddler teacher into a school director, regional leader, franchise consultant, and eventually a national executive — and it’s what gave me the courage to build ECE Talent Partners from the ground up.

I carry that advice with me every day, and I encourage others to do the same: don’t wait until you feel 100 percent ready. Move forward, trust yourself, and let the growth meet you along the way.

The advice I would give young women entering early childhood education is to trust your instincts and step boldly into opportunities, even when they feel bigger than you. This field is full of heart, responsibility, and growth — and you are capable of far more than you think.

I learned early on that confidence doesn’t come before the opportunity; it comes from saying yes, showing up, and proving to yourself what you can do. Don’t wait until you feel completely ready. Move forward, ask questions, and let yourself be stretched.

I would also encourage young women to surround themselves with mentors and leaders who genuinely invest in their growth. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the women and men who guided me, challenged me, and believed in me long before I believed in myself.

Most importantly, remember that your voice matters. Whether you’re in the classroom, leading a team, or stepping into executive roles, your perspective brings value. Advocate for yourself, advocate for children, and advocate for the educators around you. This industry needs strong, compassionate, confident women — and you belong here.

One of the biggest challenges in early childhood education right now is the ongoing struggle to attract and retain qualified educators. Programs are facing intense competition, rising expectations from families, and a workforce that is often underpaid, undervalued, and stretched thin. This creates staffing gaps that impact everything — enrollment, quality, compliance, and the overall experience for children and families.

But within that challenge is also one of the greatest opportunities.

Our field is finally having honest conversations about compensation, professional development, leadership training, and the importance of creating supportive, healthy workplace cultures. Schools are recognizing that investing in their people is not optional — it’s essential. There is a growing movement toward elevating the profession, strengthening career pathways, and building environments where educators feel respected, supported, and able to grow.

Another major opportunity is the shift toward more intentional onboarding and leadership development. When schools invest in training, coaching, and clear systems, they see stronger retention, better team culture, and higher program quality. That’s why I built the ECE Training Academy — to help schools bridge that gap and give educators the tools they need to succeed.

I believe our industry is at a turning point. The challenges are real, but the opportunity to reshape how we hire, train, and support educators has never been greater. And I’m committed to being part of that change.

The values that matter most to me — both in my work and in my personal life — are family, integrity, service, and growth. These have guided every step of my journey.

Family is at the center of everything I do. I’m a mom to four wonderful children, two daughter‑in‑laws, and I’ve been married to my high‑school sweetheart for over 26 years. Their support has shaped my confidence, my resilience, and my commitment to showing up fully in every part of my life.

Integrity is another core value for me. I believe in doing what’s right, even when it’s hard, and leading with honesty, transparency, and respect. In early childhood education — a field built on trust — integrity isn’t optional; it’s essential.

Service is also deeply important to me. I’ve spent more than two decades serving children, families, educators, and school owners. I believe leadership is about lifting others up, creating opportunities, and making a meaningful impact on the people around you.

And finally, growth. I value learning, stretching myself, and stepping into roles that challenge me. I encourage others to do the same — to move forward even before they feel completely ready, because that’s where real growth happens.

These values shape how I lead, how I build relationships, and how I show up every day — at home, in my company, and in the early childhood education community.