Dr. Ashley who began her nursing career as Licensed Vocational nurse recently retired from the Harris County Hospital District after 36 years with 30 of these years in administration in roles such as nurse manger, supervisor, assistant director, director, chief nursing officer and then chief nurse executive. Currently she lectures and speaks at workshops on leadership and is writing a book on leadership. She earned a doctorate in nursing Administration from Texas Woman’s University. She is actively involved in professional, community and church organizations. Serving in leadership roles such as President, Vice President or Officer in many major organizations such as Texas Nurses Association, American Nursing Association and Eta Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau at the local, state, and national levels has been a continuous process. She is a former President of the Houston Organization of Nurse Executives and has served as the vice president of the North Forest Independent School District Board of Trustees. She is currently a member of Zeta Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority and on the board of the Black Nurses Association and Texas Nursing Association district #9, and is a reviewer for the TNA Nurse Friendly designation. She has received many rewards for leadership and exemplary performance throughout her career such as Health Care Executive of the year in 1999, Nurse of the Year, Excellence in Writing Award , one of the ten Women on the Move in 1992, recognized for professional achievements by Women of Achievement and other health care organizations. One of her projects called, 'Creating An Organization That Inspires the Soul', a concept to make spiritual values a part of the work culture received the prestigious Organization-Wide Innovative Award from American Organization of Nurse Executives in Nashville, Tennessee in March 2000. She was honored as an outstanding alumnus of Alvin Junior College in 1999 and Texas Woman’s University in 2000. In 2005 she received Best Nurse Leader of the year sponsored by Advance Nursing and the Super Achiever Minority award given by the YMCAs of America. Dr. Ashley has published articles in Journal of Nursing Administration, Nursing Management, Clinical Issues AACN, Journal of Emergency Nursing and JOCEPS. She has conducted nursing research studies on employee satisfaction, motivational factors of nurse managers, and the effect of empathy training on nurses’ empathetic levels and the Quality of life of AIDS patients. In addition to these activities she is actively involved in church work. Currently she is a Deacon, Chairman of the Personnel & Scholarship committees, and vice president of the church council. Frequently she speaks at church programs, retreats and professional workshops. Dr. Ashley is an avid scrabble player. She is married and has one son.