Meet Ashley Defay! Ashley is the Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in Chicago, Illinois. She volunteers with LMA as a Director-At-Large on the Midwest Regional Board and Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee. Read more about why she enjoys volunteering for LMA, the next stop on her travel bucket list, how curiosity drives her career, and more.
Tell us your story - where do you work and what do you do?
I'm the Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner where I am responsible for helping our team execute our recruiting, retention, and promotion strategy to create inclusive leadership at all levels at the firm. It's also my job to liaise with Marketing & Business Development to make sure we are aligned on our I&D brand both internally and externally.
What is your volunteer role (past and/or present) with LMA?
I'm currently serving in two roles, which are the Director-at-Large LMA Midwest and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair. In the past, I've served on the Chicago Local Steering Committee as Chair, Vice Chair, and Programming Director. Also, I was a co-chair for the 2022 LMA Annual Conference QuickStart program (shout out to Ashley Black and Kim Oakley!).
What do you enjoy most about being an LMA volunteer?
I really enjoy learning from the people that I volunteer with and meeting all of the members in the region and being able to give back to a community that has been very supportive of me. It's been fun getting to know so many people in the industry, and LMA is a great resource for learning about legal marketing and the industry as a whole.
Ashley at LMA23 with past and present Midwest Board Members Jennifer Shankleton (Chief Growth & Development Officer, Brennan Manna Diamond), Jason Klika (Marketing & Business Development Manager, HMB Legal Counsel), Laura Gutierrez (Chief Architect, {Em}Dash), Kate Harry Shipham (Principal, KHS People LLC), and Amie Allison (Business Development Director, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP)
What are your hobbies?
I am a giant nerd who likes a ton of things. I watch anime and play video games when I have a free moment. Currently, I'm excited about the remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story (JRPGs are my favorite), and I'm playing Street Fighter VI. I also love cooking and making espresso drinks - I bought an espresso machine during the pandemic and it's been one of the best purchases. I also like working out, so you will catch me either on Peloton or Tonal during a normal week.
Ashley's recipe for turkey and bison meatball parmigiana
What travel spot is on your bucket list?
Tokyo, Japan is one since one of my best friends since elementary school lives there and we always wanted to go there together as kids. I also want to go to the Maldives, Singapore, Paris, London, and multiple islands in the Caribbean.
What book are you currently reading?
Spare by Prince Harry has been my travel audiobook, so I'm still making it through. One book I really liked this year was The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
What would the title of your autobiography be?
Traveling The Path of Resilience
Who was your top artist on Spotify Wrapped last year?
Beyoncé - no surprise if you know how excited I was to go to the Renaissance World Tour. One of the best moments of my entire life!
Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour at Soldier Field in Chicago
What was your first live concert?
Kirk Franklin at my mom's friend's megachurch...if you're from Detroit, you understand the church culture.
What TV show are you currently streaming?
Degrassi and Suits. My friend wanted someone to talk to Degrassi about, so I'm almost done with season 12 and just started Suits. For anime, currently watching Jujutsu Kaisen season 2.
If you could appear on any game show, which one would you choose?
The Price is Right. It's a classic that we all watched when we were kids while we were sick or had a snow day. Also, who doesn't want to win a new car?
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Lauren London - I've heard many times that I look like her in my life.
If you could trade places with a Marvel superhero (or villain!) for a day, who would it be?
Rogue from X-Men is one of my all-time favorites, but if I had to put myself in a hero universe, it would be either Sailor Moon or My Hero Academia specifically.
Do you have any pets? If so, what's your favorite thing about them?
I do not have any pets that stay with me, however, I miss my dog Mojo who is back in Detroit. He has a big personality for a small dog, and is the sweetest fur baby in the whole world (at least, mine).
Ashley's dog Mojo
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
Smoked salmon platter with an everything bagel from Goddess and The Baker and a sweet cream cold brew. Now that my new office is close to Goddess, my wallet is in danger.
What's your favorite dessert?
Anything chocolate and I've recently come across a peach upside-down cake with whiskey cream that I cannot stop thinking about.
Which 3 famous people would you invite to a dinner party?
Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, and Kamala Harris. I think we'd have the best time!
Pick one word to describe your "why." What motivates you in your career and personal life?
Curiosity would be my one word. I'm always curious as to how far I can go, and who I can help next in my career. I'm really driven to see what's the best that I can do and how far I can go in my lifetime, so I will learn as much as I can while I'm privileged to be here.
Ashley at the LMA23 "Back to the 80s Party" with Diana Lauritson (Senior Marketing and Business Development Manager, Hogan Lovells), Tahisha Fugate (Sr. Marketing & Business Development Manager, Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP), and Ashley Black (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Manager, Porter Hedges LLP)
How has LMA helped you accomplish your career goals?
LMA has introduced me to so many people who have helped me in terms of strategic thinking that I could take back to my firms. I'm part of a few smaller groups where we are not only friends, but we talk about best practices and industry developments in real time. Those conversations make me a better leader and practitioner.
What's the best career advice that someone has ever given you?
Be intentional in what you'd like to do because others can decide that for you and you may not like it. I've learned to not just rely on my talents because I have such a varied skill set and can be put almost anywhere. What I've learned is that my best work comes from helping people figure out their career journeys and creating programs so they can be their best selves. Those are the stories I enjoy writing about the most.