In today’s episode, our guest is Ashley Sommers, Executive Director of the Douglas County Schools Foundation, who turned her unexpected entry into the nonprofit world into a remarkable career.
Ashley opens up about the power of setting boundaries, the significance of mental health, and the life-altering moments that shaped her journey. Discover how she balances ambition with compassion and the unique challenges she overcame as a woman in leadership.
Get ready to be inspired by Ashley’s candid insights and practical advice on achieving success without sacrificing your well-being. Tune in for a conversation that promises to uplift and motivate!
Show Highlights:
- Learn how reading can bring you growth and success. [02:08]
- Are you someone who says yes to everything? [03:05]
- The importance of understanding oneself. [07:12]
- Discover the power of positive influence. [09:40]
- This is how self-confidence manifests itself. [12:30]
- What would you say to your younger self if given a chance? [15:24]
- Find out why the right mentors are crucially important. [20:27]
- How to balance between work and personal life. [22:12]
For more information or to connect with Ashley Sommers:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sommers-133ba253
If you enjoyed this episode, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave a review!
For more information about Lorie Jones, go to http://fearless-females.com/
00:00.66
loriejones7
Good morning. Thank you for joining us today. We are here with Ashley Summers she's the executive director for the foundation of Douglas County schools and I'm so excited to have you here with us Today. Ashley I I got a chance to kind of catch up with her before we. Started and I love what she does and so I'm excited for you guys to hear um, all about her journey and how she got where she found.
00:27.46
Ashley Sommers
I'm so excited to be here. Thank you.
00:30.29
loriejones7
So I always start with the same question because I love reading Um, tell me what your favorite book is.
00:38.55
Ashley Sommers
So I kind of jotted down to some that have definitely helped me as I've as I've even grown and as a person but in my and my career as well. The energy bus has always been one of my favorites. Um I love the story behind it. Um, and and the whole idea of. Um, bringing in those who who positively impact you but also thinking positively about who you are in yourself as well. So that's been a great one for me and another one is boundaries. Um I I knew for a long time that I had a really hard time drawing boundaries. Ah more my personal life than my than my work life. And so it's helped balance things out um learning about how to how to say no in a nice way. Um, and then also to know when you kind of reached a limit and to say I think I need to step back from something so those 2 have helped me out tremendously.
01:29.30
loriejones7
Oh my goodness I'm putting that second one on my list right now because I am terrible at sitting boundaries I say yes to everything So so nobody call me and ask me anything because I'll say yes to it for sure. So I love that. That's good. That's going at the top of my stack. So thank you tell me.
01:39.67
Ashley Sommers
B.
01:48.51
loriejones7
Ah, little bit about your journey talk to us about how did you get where you are today and kind of what do? What do you do every day talk to us a little bit about that.
01:55.57
Ashley Sommers
So fell into this world nonprofit world completely by chance. Um I had been at home for 4 years with my children and knew that it was time to head back. Um and to help contribute to the finances of the house and um. Started looking for something had no idea where I was going to fall um went to a local temp agency ended up but actually actually cherry creek schools foundation um, and it was my first experience like as I mentioned into a nonprofit and I had um, being there. Learned and loved what an education foundation does and how it gives back to their community and to their district in a whole different level. Um, and said I should start looking at what happens down in Douglas County that's where I live that's where I I have my children are going to school. What is out there and so that's what I did I started was at Cherry Creek schools for about four or five years and then I started knocking on the door down here and quickly went from our programs um into where I am today I've been in my position for 5 years
03:05.24
loriejones7
Wow, That's that's a pretty steep that was quick right? so.
03:11.62
Ashley Sommers
It was um, definitely it was a very I so I've been in the industry now for 12 years um so between those 2 Um, yeah rose rose to kind of in this position pretty fast.
03:24.33
loriejones7
Yeah, what did you did you? ah go to college and did you go to college to be a director of a nonprofit. How.
03:32.22
Ashley Sommers
I Do I did graduate from college. Um I have my degree in English literature I always thought I was going to be a teacher and really thought I would be in the high school.
03:39.22
loriejones7
Ah.
03:46.24
Ashley Sommers
Level. That's why that the degree and in in English literature However, never ended up in a classroom ever but knew that there was always that passion for education and again once I found out that this was an opportunity when that's where I'm supposed to be.
03:52.37
loriejones7
This.
04:02.50
loriejones7
Oh that's great. It's it's neat that you found that passion like that you you kind of fell into it but then took it a little bit further to kind of grow in that space I love that tell us a little bit about what? Um What do you. Do like what does a director of of this nonprofit for Douglas County like what What's your job What do you do.
04:27.10
Ashley Sommers
So I wear many different hats I spent a lot of my time fundraising to really support the programs that we do here at the foundation we do um, operate all year round. We are not on a school calendar. Um.
04:29.63
loriejones7
Oh.
04:40.95
Ashley Sommers
Many people think that oh you must shut down when it's summertime. No, we run a school supply drive during the summer so that's what we're heavily involved in during the summer um but some of the things that we do throughout the year um we support. Um our teachers with some educator grants um opportunity grants. We support different programs throughout the district underneath our pillars that are that are the pillars of community innovation and leadership and currently will be changing 2 pathways. Um, so I I spent a lot of time out in our community getting to know our local businesses. Both both. Large and small um what their passions are in in their philanthropy and see if there's a way we can partner and and help help make an impact not only in our students but in our teachers and in and our staff as well. Um, so I kind of do a lot of a lot.
05:36.16
loriejones7
That's that's nice. It sounds like you. Um you kind of have a a different like you can do a lot of different things like you're not always doing the same. You know it's not you go to work and you do exactly the same thing every day all day long you you have a a wide variety.
05:51.43
Ashley Sommers
Definitely definitely always something different.
05:53.49
loriejones7
But that's that would that would suit me I get bored if I'm doing the same thing all the time. So okay, talk to me about what is the best. Investment you've made in yourself. Is there something that you can kind of look back on and say oh my gosh I'm so glad I did that because it really made a difference and in where I am today.
06:14.95
Ashley Sommers
So Just recently um I I did um I really took some time and and went um and sat down and really started talking about my life and my stories and trying to better understand who I am as a person. Um really took some time and invested into. And to me my mental health. Um and and helping me grow through different things and changes um, helping me learn and understand where and why maybe some thoughts are where they are or. Or different pieces and parts but really took that time and invested it into myself.
06:51.44
loriejones7
I like that idea and and when you're talking about that. You're talking about like this didn't happen when you were 20 like you had been in career for a while and and you're like hey I could use a little bit more insight.
07:06.86
Ashley Sommers
Yeah, yeah, and I think maybe with with the change in times right? growing up I don't know if that was taking that time to invest in your mental health was something that people did or people smiled on or people thought was.
07:14.27
loriejones7
Um, name.
07:22.42
Ashley Sommers
Beneficial I think it was more something if you were going to go talk to someone or speak seek out a resource like that it was because there were problems or issues and it's not just because you wanted to better yourself or learn more about yourself or yes in in addition, to better yourself. So I think. I Finally got to the place where I was like it's not taboo it's not something that you only do if you've reached this point in your life and and you need something differently. It's something that is is something I think people should always actively. Seek search and and find what that is from some people it is through reading books some people it's through you know going to their yoga classes. Whatever it is but it's I think it's you know it's seeking out that piece that gives you some some further insight.
08:08.80
loriejones7
I Think that's really good. That's a really good thought because a lot of times you don't seek that piece until you're like at the end of your rope in your burnout or past Burnout or you know crying on the couch or something like that. But I like that you proactively reached out. You're like I don't want to get to that place where I'm not I'm you know I'm feeling burnt out or I'm feeling just overwhelmed.
08:33.78
Ashley Sommers
Yeah, yeah, know it was. It was fantastic and wonderful and and and I do think really did change and on how I think look at things you know helped keep some of those positive pieces and um, instead of I know that for a long time I think I did I. Tend to go easier into that negative place sometimes and it's really helped me take a look into some what is positive even though it might be negative situation. What's positive inside of that.
08:58.48
loriejones7
Oh that's good and that's probably goes back to that book that you were the first suggestion that you gave like type you know talking about maybe looking on the bright side of things or that positivity I like that and I do like positive people I always love. You know I love spending time around our clients that are always happy. In fact, sometimes I'll manufacture excuses to call those happy people to just just see how their day's going so tell me what is the worst advice that someone gave you and and did you take that advice did you learn from it like. Talk to me about that.
09:34.91
Ashley Sommers
So I was trying to think of this one and and trying to come up with something but then but what kept coming to mind was an incident that someone at some point in my career shared with me that I should dress more professionally. I Have a deeper background in retail sales um in in higher end retail sales and so I was always very proud of how I presented myself. Um, and so when that came up I went and then I and then it took a little.
10:04.22
loriejones7
Um.
10:09.81
Ashley Sommers
Insight of to maybe who this person was sharing that with me and then different pieces and parts of who they are and what their career is and and and what may have prompted that um I did not take it because I am confident and confident in who I am and how I present myself. Um, but it it gave me insight as to what others sometimes think Matter. Um and what really does matter.
10:37.19
loriejones7
Were they were they trying to make you like dress in like the 3 piece suit or um.
10:42.87
Ashley Sommers
Yeah, yeah, that was a pretty much a clear directive. You need more blazers and trousers actually and I went no I don't think I do so ah.
10:52.83
loriejones7
I I find that really interesting I I had interviewed someone um prior and she was talking about that exact same thing that she got that advice and she was very fashionable and and kind of you know, went with what was kind of. Brighter colors and was suggested that she dress you know? Yeah 3 piece suits and the black I mean there's like 3 colors you can wear black and gray and you know white. Yeah yeah, exactly. So um I find that I find that interesting that.
11:19.39
Ashley Sommers
And blue the Navy. Yeah, yeah, it's.
11:28.39
loriejones7
That that was how long ago was that like when did they.
11:33.84
Ashley Sommers
I would say within the last five six years so it was once I became in this position that that was um, some something that was shared with me. Yes, that's I like I it was to them and I respect that for being who they are.
11:38.29
loriejones7
Wow! So it's still still a thing huh? yeah.
11:49.80
loriejones7
2
11:51.50
Ashley Sommers
For sure. Um, but um I you know and and I maybe it does now come up when I you know when I know that I'm going to go into a different type of you know I don't know presentation that there. There's a little maybe a little bit more that says you know take 1 other last look. But um, it's. It was. It was a little um I don't know and unnerving I guess at the time and and made me think to myself. What and why would that be presented that way and um I did learn through it for sure. Um, and in in the end I I knew and still know. I'm comfortable and confident in how I present myself.
12:28.58
loriejones7
I Love that I Love that you have the self confidencefidence to say this is me I'm authentic and I'm showing up in an authentic way and this is you know this is who they are getting So I Love that What's about regrets if you look back and you think of something and you know it. It doesn't have to be like oh my goodness but but sort of like what do you say if I knew then what I know now I totally would have handled that situation differently.
12:59.70
Ashley Sommers
Maturity right? with with with all of us I think as as you get older and as you mature and as you see life happenings. Um, you react to situations much differently. Um I was as I was thinking about a couple different things. I. Um, as I mentioned I was in the retail world for many years um I had 1 experience that still I thought was the worst experience I ever could have had and now when I look back at it. I I go that's but really wasn't I was I just not ready for it was I you know could I have persevered a little bit longer and seen what the results could have been. Um, so I think it's it's it's just understanding that with life comes. But better understanding. Um and and you can you'll you'll see that as you go through things and make changes.
13:51.37
loriejones7
Yeah, that there are situations that just that you would have handled much differently with more maturity or more experience is there.
14:00.14
Ashley Sommers
Yes I would have stayed out I would have stayed I know now I would have stayed in that a job that I thought was horrible I mean it just but I had I gotten through and and then I knew I was about to take a turn into the different to a brighter side but I just couldn't. See past where I was at that moment. Um today I would go back and say you're almost there. Don't don't give up. You're almost there. It's going even though everyone kept said it's going to get better. It is going to get better just just just wait a second and see what happens next.
14:18.85
loriejones7
Are.
14:33.49
loriejones7
Would you have cut the experience short Would you have made changes sooner or something like that or would you just practice patience.
14:44.80
Ashley Sommers
I would have I would have actually I would have continued instead of instead of cutting it short. So I because I started experiencing some some to me great adversity I gave myself a time limit and when I met that time limit. It was a year when I met that year my notice was given and you could have come and told me that they were going to give me puppy dogs and ice creams every single day. It wouldn't have mattered it just wouldn't have Mattered. Um I knew that I made to mind that that year and that was it um had I go back again. I would have I would have said nope we can do it a little bit longer.
15:13.30
loriejones7
Ah.
15:23.45
Ashley Sommers
Um, and and and see the see the good when all I saw during the time was a lot of the bad.
15:30.19
loriejones7
Yeah,, that's ah that is good insight because there are times when you when you can't you're in the middle of a situation and it feels like a really hard situation and you're like there's nothing good here and and that and that that just sends you on a trajectory of. Feeling worse and worse rather than looking at you know, maybe there are some positives in my situation and and if I focus on those I might be able to get through this a little easier. So.
15:56.85
Ashley Sommers
Death.
16:02.83
loriejones7
If you could go back and talk to yourself at the beginning of your journey. You know, really young twenty years old I only claim to be twenty nine now. So that's not very far for me but say you could talk to your 20 year old self knowing what you know now what would you tell her.
16:20.33
Ashley Sommers
Ah, wow there there is going to be a lot of change and there there is going to be great. Great highs, Great lows. Um, and you will come out on top at the end.
16:32.88
loriejones7
Give her some hope for the future.
16:37.71
Ashley Sommers
Yeah, definitely for sure. You know it's I think I kind of think of what I would tell my daughter today right? Um I have ah a junior in high school who's looking onto the next and looking into colleges and as we look at that. There's a lot of. Highs and lows in this process. Um, and and I keep telling her there in the end I we both strongly feel that wherever she ends up is going to be the right place. Um, we just have to have patience in getting there.
17:13.60
loriejones7
Yeah I wish that I wish that I could go back every single year between twenty and how old I am now 29 and tell myself to have patience because that that is a ah powerful concept but hard to do right.
17:25.24
Ashley Sommers
Oh yes, oh yes, Definitely yes.
17:30.57
loriejones7
What scared you the most when you started out and does it still scare you.
17:39.89
Ashley Sommers
Yes, um, it still scares me not not knowing what sometimes not knowing what the next thing is or um, comparing myself to others um in the position others who I Think. Have a great handle on it or you know to me right looking from the outside in I don't know what's going on in their personal life. Um I you know am I doing this thing correct. There is no manual. Um, when you get to a level like this you and especially in a nonprofit world and there's not a lot of. Support. Um, and and everyone in in the position like this they're in ah their organization's different. So Um I've I've found different encouragement I've found different. Different people at different times to to lean on for for encouragement or for new ideas or for whatever um to to just really move that piece forward and and so daily I Still don't think I'm doing this the the right Way. Um, or you know what is that? What's the definition of an executive director and and do I really fit that I don't know if I do um and I you know constantly having that battle and within myself as to are you doing this really are you doing this well or you are you just doing this.
19:04.63
loriejones7
So how do you? Um, how do you talk to yourself and and you're doing a great job I can tell you're doing a great job. How do you help yourself know that you're doing a great job.
19:18.30
Ashley Sommers
You know when I'm out and I do run into Community partners. Um I I do take a lot of um I listen right? and and I really um, hear what they have to say and what they have to share. Um and I take it true instead of. Questioning it as I may have before so I listen and I really um, when someone says it was so I keep seeing you everywhere you are doing some amazing Things. So I see you everywhere I'm like.. Thanks. You know I instead of me trying to have a reason or an excuse or something like you just don't feel sometimes great getting those compliments I take them and I and I kind of file them away so that I know that when there's that that day that comes that you start questioning if you're if you're performing or if you're doing what your all those expectations are. I I listen to those other pieces in part say no I am I have accomplished some good things.
20:13.46
loriejones7
Yeah, we do something similar where we have like a you know when we get kudos or someone reaches out to tell us that we did a good job I like save those and then go back and kind of look through when I'm having one of those rough days. Are there. Are there resources because you mentioned that like there's there's not a whole lot out there about how to do what you're doing you sort of make it up a little bit on the fly is there where what resources have you found that are available that help you help you know what is. Successful.
20:49.66
Ashley Sommers
We do have a great organization across the State Colorado School foundation. Ah Csfa I can't remember what it stands for the executive directors of other nonprofit education nonprofits get together about once a month. Um, and we.
21:03.00
loriejones7
Well.
21:06.95
Ashley Sommers
Share stories or we have speakers or we have um we help learn from each other what they're you what's being successful at other school districts. Um, so it's that's been a great. Great. Great support coming together with other or very similar organizations. Um, and and learning what's working with for them. The other thing is I've really been able to work and partner with District leadership and they've been really helpful in helping me navigate things that I had navigated before um, very first time I had actually worked with the board and reported to a board. Um I had a great partner here within the district who had done it for years and really helped guide me along that path. Um, so so I've I've looked to find people who are right at that moment to help guide me in different areas. Sometimes it's my board by board members who have you know some great. Um, experiences in the corporate world. Um that I knock on their door and ask them just to sit down and and listen and and help me advise me on different pieces.
22:09.96
loriejones7
I Love that that there's a lot of my guests that talk about that mentorship and it's interesting that that's still the piece you're talking about even at your level like that that even after your. The to be top of Executive Director. You still are looking for those mentors.
22:33.96
Ashley Sommers
Definitely still looking for those mentors I went to um and lunch in a few weeks or about a month ago that that really shared that especially is women looking for a mentor um is just and having a mentor is and and a mentor. Maybe there's you got multiple, but it's a mentor for this or a mentor for that. Is really really important. Um for us. Um, and to really have that few people that you can go to at any time.
23:00.19
loriejones7
Um, yeah, and that's I think that's important as well is that there's mentors for different things. There's mentors for you go to? Um, when you have this problem and different mentors. You go to when you have this problem and and that you kind of need a tribe.
23:14.64
Ashley Sommers
Yes, for sure.
23:15.79
loriejones7
Right? So Did you face any unique challenges because you were a woman I know that you know we we have things like we're moms a lot of times we're caregivers. Um, you know as far as I know men can't have babies yet was there anything that you face that was unique. Because you were a woman.
23:38.47
Ashley Sommers
I Think um that that mom tuition inside right when when you know that there is something happening that you need to be there for your children. Um or your spouse that there's something that you just? um.
23:52.18
loriejones7
Um.
23:56.68
Ashley Sommers
That that you also have the responsibility then also of of then having to leave the home or having to you know, go to a job or having to do those pieces. It's that inside balance of I know I need to be doing this but I also know that I really should be here and and trying to figure out. Um. When that when you need to just say I have to be here today instead of here. Um, that was always hard. Um, you know when you're when your children are sick and you want to be there for them and and you've taken your sick days because they've they've been sick so much. You know how? how do you balance that? um I think. With us having all these virtual possibilities. We're in a better place with that. But that wasn't happening when I had younger children at home. Um, but now today um with having 2 high school teenagers. It's still similar I still know when they're struggling and they just need some time where. They can just they can have somebody there if they need somebody there or they can just be alone if they need to so those are struggles I think that you feel inside as a mom um or even as a woman like I mentioned you even when it comes to your spouse of ah you know it's just you know when you just need to be there for them and sometimes.
25:09.70
loriejones7
So is there any way that you've kind of adapted or changed your workplace to help those that are coming up after to be able to handle those sorts of unique challenges.
25:10.55
Ashley Sommers
Can't.
25:24.79
Ashley Sommers
I Guess definitely we We do a lot of balancing. Um, you know working from home doing doing that type of situation and giving people that opportunity I know when things come up. Um, if you know some. Making it easier to accommodate that instead of making it a really hard conversation where it's you know oh my gosh I can't believe I've got to come to you again with something like this again because it's so it it just makes it personally makes it so hard for you as well, right? just going? Oh no, It's okay, the um.
25:45.90
loriejones7
Um.
26:02.22
Ashley Sommers
Yeah, that home homework balance is always going to be hard. Um, and I I feel like I really treat my team as adults. Um and knowing that they will get done what needs to get done. Um. and I and I don't sometimes it doesn't work within that 9 to 5 sometimes you know not not always we need to be available when we're when we're in you know a working environment but I really hope and I think that they my team knows when something happens you need to be there.
26:32.50
loriejones7
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I like that the idea that you're being accommodating to understanding that they they they're 2 people you know they they have a home life as well and they need to they need to show up for that or else sometimes they don't show up. Well at work if they're not if they're not putting those priorities where they need to be.
26:54.59
Ashley Sommers
Exactly exactly? yeah.
27:00.31
loriejones7
Um, what are you most proud of.
27:05.94
Ashley Sommers
Um, So I think I'm most proud of the relationship I have with my children. Um I Even as Teenagers. Um I Really think that I have a great relationship with both of them. We've tried to really keep our house as a very open house A very safe place. Um I don't know if I had that definitely growing up. Um, there was very there were so many things I would ah would have been uncomfortable to share with my parents which I I know my my 2 aren't the same. Um we was to be sometimes here too much. Ah, which is interesting. Um, but I think that it's it's letting them know that we're here to Listen. Um and when there are those struggles or those they get themselves in situations that that I that we can be there. Um, as support. Not only this parental Figure. So I Love that I have that. Um.
27:59.90
loriejones7
Um.
28:01.95
Ashley Sommers
And I am really proud of it I don't think I had that as much when I was growing up.
28:04.65
loriejones7
Do you think that translates to your to your job as well. The fact that you have this great relationship with your kids is does that translate to your work life.
28:16.20
Ashley Sommers
It does it definitely does it. It gives me um, that confidence. Um and that security honestly both of them to know that I I'm accomplishing something with my 2 children. So I know that I can continue to accomplish something in my professional life as well.
28:33.86
loriejones7
I love that that that gives you that sense of confidence that I am I totally got this I if I can raise two kids and still have a good relationship with teenagers I could I could pretty much do anything I love that Ashley that's great. So.
28:50.85
Ashley Sommers
And I love that I have a lot of I have a lot of teammates who who've who've already lived through some of my life. Yeah, their their children are older and and you know a different stage. Um, and I I lean on them I Really you know there are there are times when of course things are going to be frustrating and. Um, you know there's I have 2 teenagers things are going to be challenging and and I just I love that I have ah we all have in here you know don't worry. They're all going to grow grow past it. They're all going to be functioning great adults Sometimes it just takes some of them a little bit longer. So i. The support I have here as well has been very helpful.
29:29.68
loriejones7
That's that's kind of neat. That's like a mentorship for Parenthood right.
29:33.98
Ashley Sommers
It is. There's no instruction book for that right? We we just kind of try to do our best and um, and and there's there's you can't check just boxes and think that everything's going to come together.
29:45.99
loriejones7
Ah, and another hard part about that is like you don't even know if you did a good job like it takes years and years and years and probably forever I don't know there's days when I'm still like did I manage it or did I screw all up.
29:53.91
Ashley Sommers
Right? Yes, Yes, yeah.
30:03.40
loriejones7
So any advice Ashley for a young lady who's just starting down this path that you're already so successful at that you would ah give her to help her be more successful like you.
30:17.57
Ashley Sommers
Take all the experiences and and know that there's there's a purpose behind them. Um, as you as you you know move through life as I mentioned I wore many different hats I it it took me 10 years to get my college degree. Um, it wasn't something that I had an opportunity to get done in 4 years so it took me a long time. Um and to be happy with yourself as you as you hit different milestones it doesn't matter if it's the same time as anybody else when you hit him be proud of yourself.
30:53.71
loriejones7
I like that idea you're running your own race. You're not running somebody else's right? Well thank you? So so much for your time today and just talking to us a little bit about your journey and what you do. Um, if.
30:57.65
Ashley Sommers
Um, exactly exactly.
31:08.94
loriejones7
I have listeners that have questions. Um, where do they find you.
31:14.67
Ashley Sommers
So they can find me ah the best pace place probably is email. Um, and my email is a summers but it's s o m m e r s at DCSDKTwelve dot org.
31:19.54
loriejones7
Oop.
31:27.39
loriejones7
Well perfect. Thank you so much for spending some time with us and just sharing your experience I Really appreciate it actually.
31:33.91
Ashley Sommers
Thank you for having me.