YNS Live with NFL Thread Ashley Smith

Listen to a new episode of YNS Live with NFL Thread with hosts Juliet Hahn and Cynthia Zordich featuring special guest Ashley Smith.

 

The 2023 season marks Ashley Smith’s 6th season in the football industry and 3rd in the NFL. Currently she serves as Manager, Player Engagement for the National Football League. Smith works within the Football Operations department and heads up the league’s programming geared towards the personal and professional development of current and former NFL players. She oversees programs such as the Career Tours, Broadcasting & Media Workshop, Real Estate Workshop, Personal Branding & Social Workshop, and more. Additionally, Smith serves as a co-lead of the NFL Women’s Community that serves as a central platform for resources, events, programs, and initiatives that support and champion women involved in the game. Ashley and her Women’s Community co-lead, Cesley Tafoya, work to streamline communication and amplify resources that support the personal and professional development, health & wellness, and cross-collaborative engagement of women in the NFL family.

Prior to joining the National Football League, Smith spent a summer interning with the Kansas City Chiefs in their inaugural Norma Hunt Player Personnel Fellowship Program. In this program, Smith assisted the General Manager and player personnel staff in evaluating players, trimming the team’s roster, and practice operations.

Before transitioning out of intercollegiate athletics, Smith served as the Assistant Athletic Director of Player Development for the Tennessee Football Program in 2021. In this role, she spearheaded the football program’s programming in the areas of leadership development, personal enhancement, community outreach, and career and professional development. Smith worked at the University of Tennessee for a total of five years. During this time, she worked for both the football and student-athlete development departments.

From June 2013 to July 2016, Smith worked in the Championships & Alliances department at the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Her time there began as a postgraduate intern and then developed into an assistant coordinator position. Smith had the opportunity to work a total of 19 national championships across Divisions I, II, and III. While assisting with the planning and execution of these events, Smith’s duties and responsibilities consisted of creating championship manuals, working with national sport committees, developing social media strategies, event operations, etc.

Smith graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and collateral in entrepreneurship. She worked as a student manager for the Lady Vols Basketball Program for four years. During that time, she had the opportunity to work with the late Pat Summit and assisted the coaches and staff in recruiting, administrative, and operational capacities.

She earned her master’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Florida in 2017.

 

Remarkable Quotes

 

“Continue to show up, continue to share, because you never know how you're inspiring other women. You never know how you're helping the woman that's sitting beside you.” 

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The YNS Live With NFL Thread Super Bowl Experience is sponsored by Shutterstock Editorial.  Wherever you go - Shutterstock is there to capture it!

 

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Transcript:

00:00:00:00 - 00:00:11:10

Speaker 1

So welcome back to Y.A. Live with NFL Thread. I am here with my co-host Cynthia Sorted and a very special guest, Ashley Smith, who is the manager of Player engagement. How are you guys?

 

00:00:11:12 - 00:00:14:06

Speaker 2

We're great. So excited to be with you all today.

 

00:00:14:08 - 00:00:22:20

Speaker 1

I know I do like Ashley's background, right? And it's like it's almost like futuristic. It's like really relaxing.

 

00:00:22:22 - 00:00:26:08

Speaker 2

Glass here in the conference room at the league office.

 

00:00:26:10 - 00:00:43:19

Speaker 1

Ashley What I'm really excited is that you were at the threat event in Vegas, and I know Cynthia has shared a little bit of what you guys are doing, but how I want to start this because this is what I always love. Stories connect us. I would love for you to go back and tell us a little bit about where you grew up and kind of how this all evolved.

 

00:00:43:19 - 00:00:46:09

Speaker 1

But we'll get into the story just a little bit about your childhood.

 

00:00:46:12 - 00:01:12:18

Speaker 2

Yeah, sure. So I'm Ashley Smith. I'm from Jackson, Tennessee, which for those of you that don't know, Jackson is 2 hours from Memphis, an hour from Nashville. And so I kind of developed my love for sports is that I grew up a huge women's basketball fan. And so when I had an opportunity to go to college and when it was like my senior year of high school, I was being recognized at an awards ceremony.

 

00:01:12:18 - 00:01:31:18

Speaker 2

And Joan Cronan, who at the time was the women's athletics director at the University of Tennessee, I was just say I was debating between the University of Tennessee or Alabama, and she said, What can I do to get you to U T? And I said, If I had an opportunity to work for Coach Pat Summitt, it's a done deal.

 

00:01:31:19 - 00:01:56:16

Speaker 2

And so I had a chance to serve as a student manager with the Lady Vols basketball program for a total of four years. So my first three were with Coach Summitt during her last three years and then became the head Senate manager my senior year. And so that experience really developed that love and passion for sports. So I went on to work at the instability in the Championships and Alliances department.

 

00:01:56:17 - 00:02:30:14

Speaker 2

So my job was to plan national championships in different sports. So I was there for three years planning everything from like men's and Women's Final Four to DH to track and field three field hockey and during the time my brother was being recruited for football. And so, you know, we also lost our mom unexpectedly during that time. And so I went from kind of a hands off big sister, knowing that as he was going to, you know, different programs to visit during recruiting visits, my parents had it to where, okay, we don't have our mom.

 

00:02:30:14 - 00:02:51:20

Speaker 2

Now let me step up and kind of fill that gap as best as I could. And so as I was going around to different universities with my dad and my brother, I noticed that I didn't really see a lot of women working in football to the degree that I would have liked. Right. And so I just kind of said, okay, here's an opportunity to come and learn.

 

00:02:51:20 - 00:03:17:10

Speaker 2

And so what I did too, is that when people's coaches started asking, you know, what do you want to do? And I said, you know, I'm I'm intrigued by football. I don't know too much about it, but coming to these places have an interest. And so that is kind of what started my, you know, jump into football. I worked at the University of Tennessee and started out as the executive assistant to the head football coach, then became the director.

 

00:03:17:10 - 00:03:34:19

Speaker 2

Football administration went to student athlete development for to back to football as an assistant athletic director, left in intern with the Kansas City Chiefs during player personnel so a lot of scouting and then landed my current role today as a manager of player engagement the league office.

 

00:03:34:22 - 00:03:38:14

Speaker 1

I love that you know I love that same guys.

 

00:03:38:14 - 00:04:00:21

Speaker 3

Would say, well, I love it because, you know, going through the recruiting process with my sons, what I noticed from both my my husband and myself is that we were so drawn to those academic liaisons through the program and also to the facilities that they had for these, you know, players where we were just that was what got us most.

 

00:04:01:02 - 00:04:18:16

Speaker 3

And it always in and it did seem like there were a lot of women in those roles at that time. So I was really loving that in that connection. So to me that had to be just empowering to be there for those, you know, to be a part of those programs that are set up to make these players succeed in a busy, busy schedule.

 

00:04:18:18 - 00:04:55:04

Speaker 2

In was It definitely was. And it's still, you know, my current role, similar to what you kind of alluded to. Cynthia, my job is to work with current players and former players, which you all know we call NFL legends and really be a resource for them as it relates to their personal and professional development. So if a guy is, you know, a father, how do we look into what are the resources that we have available, you know, to help fathers or let's say a guy, you know, went into the league and didn't finish his education and get a college degree, or maybe he has his college degree, but he wants to take the next step

 

00:04:55:04 - 00:05:15:19

Speaker 2

and get a master's or an MBA. So we'll work with guys in that regard. And then my main focus is personal and professional development. So kind of, you know, a big thing that I'm gearing up for next week. We'll head out to L.A., we'll have our career tours. We're working with Hidden Empire Film Group to kind of look at, okay, we have guys that are interested in entertainment.

 

00:05:15:21 - 00:05:41:11

Speaker 2

How can we teach them if you want to become an actor, producer, director, what that looks like? We have a broadcasting media workshop for guys interested in broadcasting. So really my role is to look at what are the areas of interest for for players and legends personally and professionally, and then how can I provide an experience, how can I connect them with experts and then also provide a level of education.

 

00:05:41:13 - 00:05:51:21

Speaker 2

So then whether guys are still playing or they have, you know, retired from the league, they're now able to see a tangible next step of what life could look like for them.

 

00:05:51:23 - 00:06:18:00

Speaker 1

And, you know, and one of the things that I think is so important that I love about all the all your pivots, right? All the things that you have done is it gives people listening an idea of what's out there, because so many careers, so many jobs people don't even realize exist. And I always say, I mean, this is one of the reasons why I started all my podcast is because when you have a passion, sometimes that passion actually can turn into your career.

 

00:06:18:00 - 00:06:33:18

Speaker 1

You don't have to be an entrepreneur. You know, A lot of times people think, okay, you have a passion that's going to lead into starting my own business. Now, not everyone wants to start their own business. So when you have that passion, I love that you had kind of that mentor that was like, How can I help you shape what I want to do?

 

00:06:33:18 - 00:06:50:22

Speaker 1

And so then you had to kind of pick around and, you know, I'm sorry to hear about your mom because that had to be really hard. But what an opportunity for you also to be there for your brother and your dad because of kind of the knowledge that you were you were obtaining and your mom looking down on you saying, okay, I knew she got it right.

 

00:06:50:22 - 00:07:06:11

Speaker 1

I knew she got it. Someone's got it. Is such a beautiful thing. And that your brother can say, you know, because you had the experience, because knowledge is when you're educated and you have that knowledge, that's when you can move forward. And there's so many things that we do not know. I just went through the recruiting process for my son.

 

00:07:06:11 - 00:07:22:16

Speaker 1

Now it was in soccer, which is a little different. He's going to Newbury, which is a tough school, but he had all these injuries before and we didn't know what we could say. And it's it's a really hard time for not only the student athlete, but then also for the parents to be like, okay, how do we navigate this?

 

00:07:22:20 - 00:07:39:15

Speaker 1

What what do we do? Right? So to have the knowledge that you that there's people out there that have that role. So like if someone starting the recruiting process reach out, right, look at the organizations you're looking at and reach out and say, Hey, I heard this podcast and there's someone that had this role, I didn't know about it.

 

00:07:39:15 - 00:07:56:18

Speaker 1

And that's just going to help people kind of grow and do more things. I mean, one of the things that I love, that's what Cynthia does so much with NFL Thread, which is, you know, the knowledge of it, you know, for for the women, right? It's like here, this is I've been through this. I was you know, I was a wife for 12 years in the league.

 

00:07:57:00 - 00:08:16:14

Speaker 1

So I can tell you what my experiences were. But I also can set you up with people like Ashley, because I know the inner workings. I know what Ashley and her group are doing. I know Ashley's background, I know her skills, and I know what she can help you do. So it's so important for someone listening to this as well, who knew about the career opportunities that you have there, right?

 

00:08:16:14 - 00:08:23:14

Speaker 1

It's like if you wanted to be in entertainment, that's again, because knowledge is power, and when you have that, it makes life a little less scary.

 

00:08:23:16 - 00:08:47:22

Speaker 2

Absolutely. I totally agree with you. And I think to your point, too, it's been incredible working with Cynthia and it's also been just really inspiring to see just the wealth of knowledge and experience that Cynthia has. But even having an opportunity to attend the threat event in Vegas, the relationships, right, the setting is people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

 

00:08:48:00 - 00:09:21:05

Speaker 2

And as I watch Cynthia just about in the room, I was like, my gosh. Like, yes, someone is knowledgeable. She has great relationships and partners throughout the league and beyond. But people know that Cynthia cares about them. She's fighting and advocating to put them in the best position possible so that they can then utilize the resources that the NFL has, whether their husband, you know, is a legend and whether he, you know, someone that the world knows or not, it's like, hey, you've earned this.

 

00:09:21:05 - 00:09:33:07

Speaker 2

But also for the women, you've stood beside your husband through thick and thin like you have earned the right to have access to the sisterhood. And so I just want to give, you know, major kudos to Cynthia for what you're doing.

 

00:09:33:09 - 00:09:56:13

Speaker 3

Well, thank you so much. And you know, it's funny because going to back to what you said earlier and the fact that the coaches, when you were helping your brother through recruiting, asked you what you wanted to do and the fact that that conversation started right there is just proof that there's people out there that are in positions to help us kind of create what we want to do or get there, help us get there.

 

00:09:56:16 - 00:10:19:13

Speaker 3

And all of these all of these situations where whether it's a magazine or an event, it's conversation, it's storytelling, it's hey, this is what you can do, and putting all of the girls and for you, like it has to be really awesome. Meeting the NFL women and seeing how much talent there is out there and how much passion there is and how many beautiful organizations and individuals.

 

00:10:19:17 - 00:10:37:00

Speaker 3

And you're right, whether people know who their husband is or don't, they're creating names for themselves. And like you being there to be able to say, hey, I'm glad to be here to meet you because this is what what I'm doing now, which is new and exciting, and it's going to help elevate you even more, you know.

 

00:10:37:01 - 00:11:01:02

Speaker 2

For sure. And I think just as much as I hope you know, in meeting the women and having conversations, they're learning from me, I can honestly say that I'm learning from them as I'm I think I mentioned this earlier, or maybe I didn't. But, you know, my brother currently plays with the Chiefs, so at some point his NFL career will come to an end and I'll be along before his transition out of the league and what comes with that.

 

00:11:01:02 - 00:11:25:22

Speaker 2

And so I think what I appreciate and would encourage women to do is, one, continue to show up, continue to get involved with Theron and or in other organizations that, you know, have a ready made sisterhood that's that is available to welcome women with open arms but also share your story, just how to meet women at the threat of it and just listen to the things that they've been through.

 

00:11:25:22 - 00:11:50:04

Speaker 2

And even going from maybe some a little bit. It was like, okay, I'm supporting my spouse. And then I came to a crossroad of what do I want to do with my life? What do I want to do with my career? You know, now that I've now that I have a chance to focus on me, I think sometimes women and just in general, sometimes we find ourselves a little intimidated to share our stories, the good and the bad of what may come from that.

 

00:11:50:06 - 00:12:01:21

Speaker 2

And I would just tell women, continue to show up, continue to share, because you never know how you're inspiring other women. You never know how you're helping the next woman that's sitting beside you.

 

00:12:01:23 - 00:12:21:09

Speaker 1

And you know, when just to bring it back to Cynthia again for thread, I mean, the thing that's so beautiful, but there was a need, right? Cynthia was like, I know what I went through because of experience. And that's where these events are so wonderful, as you said, because it can teach people, Hey, just because I went through this doesn't mean you're going to go through the same things.

 

00:12:21:14 - 00:12:47:23

Speaker 1

However, I can give you my experience. I can share my story, which you might then, you know, as you're going through this, be like, wait, I can do this a little different because I heard the story and I connected. I connected with someone that's been through it. And I think that's what's so important because again, stories connect us, you know, whether it's something that we learn from, it's something we take from it, something that we we learn from it, you know, or use it down the road or just, hey, that's interesting.

 

00:12:47:23 - 00:13:05:13

Speaker 1

I can I can see where that person's been. I can put myself in their, you know, foot their shoes for a little bit. So I think that's great. I actually I would love for you to just take us a little bit through. I know you do some stuff with the women's community. And so if you can take us through what that is all about.

 

00:13:05:15 - 00:13:42:10

Speaker 2

Yeah, sure. So I am a co-lead alongside Cecily Tafoya. And so back in, I guess last year, in 2023, Troy Vincent said, Hey, I want to I see so many women that are involved in the NFL, whether they're working at the league office, in clubs or looking at, you know, player moms, spouses, I need a way to bring everyone together, but also to provide, you know, to streamline communication so that way women are knowledgeable on events and resources and initiatives that the league is offering.

 

00:13:42:10 - 00:14:07:22

Speaker 2

And so you know, we've just been pounding the pavement to really bring to life this NFL women's community. And it has been such a joy to work on. What we really do is that we focus on serving as a platform that's a central resource hub. So let's say, for instance, you know, combined we did the combine happy hour for women who are working in football operations.

 

00:14:08:04 - 00:14:45:00

Speaker 2

We had over 60 plus women to show up and be a part of that. You know, with the threat event that Cynthia had, we sent, you know, some women's community merch. So that way people can go out and utilize like what we've given them and help to really just market and brand and raise awareness of the community. And then also we gifted women and player engagement this year at the, at the Player Engagement annual meeting, we had 25 women, which is the most women that have ever served in the history of player engagement to be in the room.

 

00:14:45:00 - 00:15:12:17

Speaker 2

And so we gifted them what a free one year membership to women leaders. And so what we're trying to do is, like I said, focus on providing networking opportunities where women, you know, can come together and then also trying to provide personal and professional development opportunities. And I forgot to call this out, too. We also, when we had Pro Bowl earlier this year, worked with performance of the Professional Football Players Mothers Association.

 

00:15:12:19 - 00:15:13:15

Speaker 1

Yeah.

 

00:15:13:17 - 00:15:38:08

Speaker 2

Yeah. To connect with different moms that were there during Super Bowl week. We had the Off the Field Wives Association's fashion show, which we absolutely love every week. It's incredible to see, you know, different legends wives walk down and kind of show off their sense of style. And so also there was a celebrity flag football game that thread And so Cynthia and her team hosted.

 

00:15:38:08 - 00:15:49:03

Speaker 2

So it has been just an honor and a privilege to be able to work on a project that brings so many women that are part of the NFL football family together.

 

00:15:49:05 - 00:16:20:10

Speaker 3

Exactly. They to me, that is what I love most. And, you know, and what I always say is that thread is just that connection connecting to so many wonderful not only individuals, like I said, but programs, organizations. So I love the fact that it's like promote, promote, promote what we each other do because it's we we all are going to be affected or inspired or empowered or get knowledge from all of these different groups.

 

00:16:20:12 - 00:16:44:16

Speaker 3

So, of course you know, NFL player engagement and Troy always near and dear to my heart and that I always feel that Troy always embraces all of my ideas, you know, no matter what it is. She's like, yeah, let's do it. You know, like, get it done, do it. And so I always feel like with that. And he also is fun to say, You need to meet this person, you need to meet that person.

 

00:16:44:16 - 00:17:09:12

Speaker 3

And so of course, through Troy is where I was, how I met, you know, Erica Lassiter and off the field. And so with that, my journey with Off the field has been like almost for a decade now. And, you know, they're my second family, you know, being on the board, you know, serving as a president, it's like, what an honor and what a what an opportunity to make sure that everybody knows what's happening with possibilities.

 

00:17:09:12 - 00:17:32:17

Speaker 3

For instance, like at the Super Bowl events, not everybody that registers to come to the luncheon is a member of off the field, yet it's like, wait a minute. And so when Troy contacted me about the NFL women's community, I was like, my goodness, yes. What can we do? Like, what can I do to help promote? What can I do to help promote the women's community so that everybody knows about it?

 

00:17:32:18 - 00:18:03:00

Speaker 3

And for me, it's just another opportunity to say, Hey, thread members, here's your resources right here, Here it is, click away. Here's all of your resources. But also, you know, NFL flag, these little girls are playing now. They're going to become the future. You, Ashley, they're going to become the future of football, you know, with wanting to be general managers, you know, wanting to be in that and in the offices, whether it's marketing, whether it's, you know, being the president, whether it's being a coach, you know.

 

00:18:03:00 - 00:18:30:09

Speaker 3

So I feel like the women's community isn't it's all women. It's all women who really love the game, who want to be a part of the game, who want to work within the game. And to me, like that is so exciting. And I just love the fact that we can even like through not only through podcasts like this, but through events, through conversation, through sharing links, through, you know, anything, promote what you're doing.

 

00:18:30:11 - 00:18:58:03

Speaker 2

Well, thank you. We appreciate that. And I will say this, Cynthia, you have been an incredible partner. For those who don't know, every month we send out a monthly newsletter with information and updates on events and resources and initiatives for, as you mentioned, all women. So whether you're working at the league office in clubs, if you are a significant other, if you know so a player's wife or girlfriend or you know, if you are a player's mom.

 

00:18:58:03 - 00:19:18:05

Speaker 2

And so, Cynthia, thank you for every month, you know, you're sending information whether it's, you know, women having information on how to join, thread or upcoming events. And and that's what we want. We want people to feel that, okay, we can utilize our access this newsletter and join thread and get involved and be a part of that sisterhood.

 

00:19:18:05 - 00:19:22:06

Speaker 2

So I can't thank you enough for just being an incredible partner to us.

 

00:19:22:08 - 00:19:35:15

Speaker 3

Beautiful. When I and I hope to do more for you too. And I look forward to everything so and I know and so so do we get off the field, you know, feel the same way. Because for all of us, it's like, yeah, let's grow together, you know? And so I love it.

 

00:19:35:17 - 00:19:55:16

Speaker 1

One of the things that I think is important is when people are listening back to this, because, you know, when I started this with Cynthia, I remember the first Super Bowl and we had the luncheon and it was awesome. And we had, you know, everyone jump on and kind of go and I remember the first fashion show. So that was Ellie and I.

 

00:19:55:18 - 00:20:13:13

Speaker 1

We were doing some of behind the scenes and Cynthia said, Let's just get some of the stories. And I remember and I'm not going to name the person, but I went up to someone that her her husband, people know him, right? So I said, Can you introduce yourself? And she said her name and then who her husband was.

 

00:20:13:13 - 00:20:30:02

Speaker 1

And I stopped. I go, no, no. I go, that's great. I mean, great. Do you ever your husband's very successful? You said, but who are you? And she went, we went and she literally got like, she's like, I'm sorry. I don't I don't I don't understand. No one's ever asked me this. And I said, What do you mean no one's ever asked you that?

 

00:20:30:02 - 00:20:49:03

Speaker 1

I said, No, I want to know about you. Like, what do you do? Do you stay home with the kids? Do you have a job outside? And it took her a second to collect herself and then she told me what she did. And I was like, she had like her own business. That was like, enormous. And I said, I looked at Cynthia and I said, I can't believe that just took place.

 

00:20:49:03 - 00:21:18:23

Speaker 1

Like my heart hurt, you know, because I was like, No one ever asks about the spouse and yes, these of a lot of these events are about the husband, but it takes a very special woman to be able to set aside and love their husband and not be able. And sometimes, I mean, the because there's been some events where, you know, women will come up to us after is to say thank you so much for doing this because I've been pushed away like I've actually been pushed away in a situation.

 

00:21:18:23 - 00:21:43:16

Speaker 1

I'm like, I had to do that or not to very well because I'd be like, Excuse me, Yeah, yeah, I would be fiery, but it's you. It takes a special soul to be like, I know what this is. I know where I, you know, I know who I am and how I can help in these situations. So sharing these stories and letting the women know you're not invisible in this world, right?

 

00:21:43:16 - 00:22:02:13

Speaker 1

You're not invisible in this world. You are someone you're actually holding the force down. You know, so many of the interviews that Cynthia and I have done with the husband and wives, it's so beautiful because it's a side that a lot of times the media doesn't put out. The husband is like just an all of his of his wife, of his woman and thankful.

 

00:22:02:17 - 00:22:17:11

Speaker 1

And they don't pick that up. And that's what I think in this world we need more of we need more of those stories saying, you know, that's why I love doing the red carpet at at the off the field. And I will always say, you know, you guys come together and the guys know now and, you know, I'm like, it's nice to see you.

 

00:22:17:11 - 00:22:36:01

Speaker 1

You know, go, I'm going here first and then but then I would always love to ask is what does this mean to you to watch your wife and support your wife today? And the smiles from the men are like, it's so true and they're so happy to be able to do it. They're so happy to say, you know what?

 

00:22:36:01 - 00:22:57:06

Speaker 1

I want to be here supporting you. You've done so much for me and it's just such a beautiful thing to capture. And so what both of you guys are doing, I think is really important. And, you know, we're in a world right now that a lot of times things are thrown down our throats, right? And sometimes it's like, well, no, we need to have a woman in this position because we need that that woman there.

 

00:22:57:10 - 00:23:15:04

Speaker 1

And I sometimes have a hard time with that because it's like, well, if the woman's not qualified, don't just give it to her because she's a woman. Like, let's see the person that's there, Let's see who is qualified, not because they check your boxes and more of this by people telling and sharing their stories and being able to connect and saying, this is what I'm worth.

 

00:23:15:04 - 00:23:28:18

Speaker 1

This is who I am. This is why I want to connect with. This was what you guys are doing. And I think it's so important and sometimes not acknowledged enough. So thank you both. Even I get a little fiery there.

 

00:23:28:20 - 00:23:41:04

Speaker 3

But I do. And I'm, you know, Ashley So what you're like in this is incredible where you are and like, what are your goals? Like your own personal goals sake for your future? What are you thinking?

 

00:23:41:06 - 00:24:04:23

Speaker 2

Yeah. goodness. That's the question that I get sometimes. And I'll say this, I feel like when I was younger and especially when I first started my career, you know, if I'm totally transparent again, being a women's basketball lover, I thought that, okay, my career would just skyrocket in the women's basketball world and now I've become a football girl.

 

00:24:04:23 - 00:24:36:04

Speaker 2

And so I would I would say this where I am. I totally enjoy working with players, working with their families. I'm definitely a people person. I think now my mindset has shifted from, okay, where do I want to be versus what are the skills that I need to develop So that way, you know, if there is an opportunity to be a president of an NFL club or, you know, to be a senior leader here at the league office, what do I need?

 

00:24:36:04 - 00:24:59:16

Speaker 2

So I think right now my focus is looking at how can I expand my knowledge around NFL Global and what's taking place from a global perspective. And then also looking at, I think that any time an individual woman or man can add revenue generating experience to their bill, I think it just helps to make them, you know, even more dynamic than what they are.

 

00:24:59:16 - 00:25:20:22

Speaker 2

And so that is my focus. You know, I have developed a strong heart and a love for the NFL. And, you know, Juliette, kind of alluded to it a little bit of that. Yes, I'm knowledgeable. And, you know, my professional experiences have given me an opportunity to be a resource of people due to that. But at the same time, I'm living this out with my siblings.

 

00:25:20:23 - 00:25:40:12

Speaker 2

Yeah. So, you know, I would love to continue to grow and be a woman who I hope my motto is always lift as you rise. So yes, I definitely want to advance my career for sure. And as I mentioned, you know, would love to become a senior leader in this office in whatever capacity that would look like or, you know, maybe become president at a club.

 

00:25:40:14 - 00:25:51:06

Speaker 2

But right now I'm like, okay, let me just learn and develop different skills. Let me raise my hand to work on projects and serve on committees that would give me some skills that I currently don't have.

 

00:25:51:08 - 00:25:52:17

Speaker 1

I love that.

 

00:25:52:19 - 00:26:16:09

Speaker 3

I need to. And it's exciting because I think about the girls that are listening and you know, and you know, you want to share that. And even all the NFL women that will be sharing this podcast with them might be thinking, Wow, you know, I could be I could be doing something. And I remember at one point I think it was the Bridge to Success program was what it's called at the time.

 

00:26:16:11 - 00:26:41:09

Speaker 3

And I remember one of the leaders said it's important right now as a player, a current player or spouse is your opportunity to pick anybody's brains about what they do. Nobody's going to say they don't want to have lunch with you. Nobody's going to turn you down for a meeting. And I was just curious if you ever find yourself seeing what people do and saying, hey, can can we just like talk?

 

00:26:41:09 - 00:26:43:18

Speaker 3

Can we have a conversation about what you do.

 

00:26:43:19 - 00:27:12:07

Speaker 2

All the time? I have thinking just this week I have three meetings that are just because I think that, yes, you want to always be, you know, a constant learner of, you know, what are the different things that are taking place in this office. You are I say you always want to be a connector of people, Right? So by learning what people are doing, by learning who people are, it's an opportunity for you to connect, you know, different people.

 

00:27:12:09 - 00:27:43:07

Speaker 2

And I just think, too, that it's so important to build a community. You know, we're all busy in the throes of, you know, all things that are NFL that are taking place here. But again, I think it's great to meet people, kind of find, you know, where some areas that you align and have some similarities. So then, you know, there have been times where I've had tough days here and I'm able to go down a floor and talk to a friend or maybe, you know, call them at night and kind of say like, hey, I went through this today.

 

00:27:43:09 - 00:28:14:13

Speaker 2

How would you handle moving forward? Like, what are the ways any advice that you have for me? And so, yes, I think it's so important, I think sometimes to people can get so in a place of, I've made it to the NFL and it's like, great. Being at the NFL definitely is an accomplishment. But like, never be too good or or too comfortable to where you're not putting yourself out there and going beyond your comfort zone to connect with people, to build community and just to learn.

 

00:28:14:13 - 00:28:20:10

Speaker 2

So absolutely, I have coffee, I call them coffee chats, whether they're for coffee or not, but I have them all the time.

 

00:28:20:11 - 00:28:21:19

Speaker 3

I love that as well.

 

00:28:21:20 - 00:28:46:19

Speaker 1

And you know, one of the things that we do talk about on this podcast a lot for like anyone that's young that's listening, that might, you know, accidentally kind of get this podcast and be like, wait, it's about the connection. I mean, human connection is so important and saying yes in a capacity if there's an opportunity out there and being aware of what's going on out there, right, if you run into someone, ask, you know, ask questions, be that person.

 

00:28:46:19 - 00:29:06:15

Speaker 1

And so one of the things, you know, raising three teenagers and all different personalities, one of the things I was want to say because some are a little bit more outgoing than others. And so I'm obviously a very outgoing person and one of and one of my children will mention that, like, I'm not always like you. You know, you're very you go out, you don't mind doing that.

 

00:29:06:15 - 00:29:27:20

Speaker 1

And I always I always remind them I'm not going to call them out. This is I have two boys and a girl. If I say you're very obvious, but I always say you don't need to. But once you're comfortable, you need to be comfortable in your own skin and know what you can bring to the table. And it doesn't mean that bringing to the table is something that someone is going to use you or you're using them.

 

00:29:27:22 - 00:29:45:23

Speaker 1

Bring yourself and be comfortable. And so one of the things that I say to this, this child of mine is just knowing you and being curious and you don't have to be an extrovert. So anyone's listening to this being like, you know, I can't do it actually does because I'm not I don't love to be, you know, talking all the time.

 

00:29:45:23 - 00:30:10:06

Speaker 1

I'm more of an introvert. You can be an introvert and still make connections that you're comfortable with. And that's where it's so important to put yourself out there and learn. And so if you have control of that meeting, right, if you're the person that's the introvert listening, being like, my God, this is so uncomfortable. But knowing, okay, I have these goals in life, these are the things I want to do, who can I connect with that I can learn from?

 

00:30:10:10 - 00:30:25:09

Speaker 1

But do it on my own terms so I feel comfortable enough instead of like the extrovert. Like if someone says, Hey, do you want have coffee? I don't care who you are, I have coffee with you. And you know I don't drink coffee, tea, but I can talk about anything and it doesn't matter. You know, if you're a president of the United States or a janitor, like, I can do that.

 

00:30:25:09 - 00:30:46:16

Speaker 1

Not everyone can do that. So knowing and be comfortable with who you are, but also knowing what you want out of the conversation and not in a in a in a negative way, because you don't want to go into a conversation being like, I'm using you for the information right? It's no, it's about a connection. It's about let's talk, let's grow, let's think, let's let's grow together, as Cynthia always says.

 

00:30:46:16 - 00:30:48:18

Speaker 1

And I think it's really important for people to hear that.

 

00:30:48:21 - 00:31:15:17

Speaker 2

I totally agree. I think that, you know, I'm fortunate where I have, you know, an opportunity to speak with young professionals all the time. And that's definitely a piece of advice that I give them. Yes. When you're going into conversations with people and you know, there's an opportunity, do your research, come prepared, have an outline of, okay, what am I ultimately hoping to get out of this conversation, whether it's, you know, developing a relationship or connection.

 

00:31:15:19 - 00:31:41:13

Speaker 2

But then also maybe there are some things I it's hey, can we potentially we meet regularly, regularly and start like a mentorship relationship, whatever that looks like. But I tell them all the time, just be you, the people that are supposed to be your tribe, the people are supposed to be connected to you. They will love you and they will resonate with you.

 

00:31:41:13 - 00:32:01:19

Speaker 2

And there are times where I tell them, Hey, you may reach out to someone, they may not respond. You may reach out to have a conversation and find out. You know, I don't really think that they're the person for me or I'm the right fit for them. That is okay. Yeah, but you want people to connect with you and to love you for you.

 

00:32:02:00 - 00:32:04:00

Speaker 2

And people can read through BS in.

 

00:32:04:02 - 00:32:07:02

Speaker 1

You have to be authentic. You have to be authentic.

 

00:32:07:04 - 00:32:26:14

Speaker 2

Yes. And so it eliminates any potential stress of trying to put on this mast to be someone that you're not. And so I say all the time, like, just be yourself and know that who you are is enough. And then from there, the people that grab hold of that and come to love you. Amazing. And the ones that don't, it's their loss.

 

00:32:26:15 - 00:32:29:00

Speaker 1

Their loss. I love that.

 

00:32:29:02 - 00:32:46:02

Speaker 3

And the other thing is, and this I think, is so important, if you're on the other side of it and you're the mentor and somebody reaches out to you and maybe you can't have coffee, maybe you can't have that conversation, maybe you are too busy, just have the grace to answer and to say, I wish I could. I'm not available.

 

00:32:46:06 - 00:33:05:18

Speaker 3

Maybe, you know, somebody asked who would meet them for coffee. You know, if somebody asked you for an opportunity or, you know, to help you like, hey, I want to look, I see you have an opening. Can we have a conversation? And you know that it's filled and you can't help them just be graceful and say, you know, gracious and say, I'm sorry, I can't help you, but I wish you the best of luck.

 

00:33:05:18 - 00:33:06:10

Speaker 3

You know, just get back.

 

00:33:06:10 - 00:33:08:06

Speaker 1

So and this.

 

00:33:08:08 - 00:33:25:14

Speaker 3

When you're looking and it's not happening, there's nothing more frustrating when you just don't get it. You know, for people that are out there and I know that happens a lot in the coaching world, you know, it's like always and I always pride my husband the fact that he could speak to every single person that texts them and say, I hear you, I got it.

 

00:33:25:14 - 00:33:34:05

Speaker 3

I'll push, I'll push forward, I'll look, I'm looking, I'll help you, because it's so easy to select somebody. Now I got your message and you're my at least in my heart.

 

00:33:34:05 - 00:33:34:18

Speaker 1

Yeah.

 

00:33:34:19 - 00:33:39:16

Speaker 3

And in my thoughts. You know, even if I can help you right now. No, it's no something I want to say.

 

00:33:39:22 - 00:33:53:08

Speaker 1

No, But I love that you said that because it's so true. Because all of us in the business world, we get hit up all the time. And that is one thing I will Every person that emails me most of the time, if I'm not interested, I'll be like, Thanks for you. No thanks, I'm not interested. That's time. Good luck, period.

 

00:33:53:08 - 00:34:07:02

Speaker 1

And send it so they know the person. Get it. So I send it again. I don't know. Did it go on to their junk? There's like all of these things that we do, especially when you're out there looking that it's just like, Yep, nope. Got it. Not interested. Okay, move on. Right. And then you put put it on a list.

 

00:34:07:08 - 00:34:20:07

Speaker 1

So I love that you said that from all the other, you know, all the sites. So, Ashley, I know you have a meeting shortly, so I want to let everyone know where they can find you. So someone's listening to this and they're like, This is great, but what do I do? What do I do next?

 

00:34:20:09 - 00:34:50:17

Speaker 2

Yeah, I know for sure they can find me on LinkedIn. It's just my name. Ashley Smith. My profile and information will pop up. I'm also willing to give people my email address. It's Ashley, so ask age Ellie y dot Smith and NFL.com. And I think to your point to Juliet, I'm happy to reach out and connect with any young professionals or any, you know, members of threat or people that are interested in thread the women's community.

 

00:34:50:19 - 00:35:17:18

Speaker 2

I just think about being at a point where, you know, I was trying to get into the league office and I did a lot of messaging people on LinkedIn, you know, reach out to people via email. And I remember there times where I didn't get responses and while it isn't anything personal, I took it personally. But I also said, okay, when I get an opportunity to sit on the other side of the table, I'm going to reach back out and help those individuals.

 

00:35:17:18 - 00:35:51:10

Speaker 2

And I will say this even when I think about, you know, my career and thinking a little more about Cynthia's question of where do I want to be? And in taking a little bit step further, but what will success look like for me? And I have to go back to Coach Pat had some when you look out and you just look across the landscape of women's basketball and sports and entertainment, you see so many student managers, former players, coaches that are out and that are making an impact on young young men and young women.

 

00:35:51:15 - 00:36:12:02

Speaker 2

And so for me, true, successful look like at some point when I move on and maybe I've retired or I've, you know, become that president of an NFL club or a senior level guys here, I want to see their reach. I want to see that, hey, you know what? I had a conversation or a mentor, this young man, this young woman, and now she's.

 

00:36:12:04 - 00:36:12:18

Speaker 3

Only going to.

 

00:36:12:20 - 00:36:37:12

Speaker 2

Support forging a path forward and is basically carrying the torch that I gave her. And even it was so interesting because I have an intern who's working with me and I had to do her, you know, performance review last week. And she just said, thank you so much. I just don't know how I can ever repay you for just how much you've cared for me and you've guided me and you've pushed me and given me opportunities that maybe other people in this office didn't give me.

 

00:36:37:14 - 00:36:51:20

Speaker 2

And I said, Just do it to the next person that comes along with me. Anything The biggest way that you can, quote unquote, repay me for what I've done for you is to reach out and do it for the next person who's coming behind you. my love.

 

00:36:51:22 - 00:36:53:02

Speaker 1

I love that.

 

00:36:53:04 - 00:36:55:19

Speaker 3

And I'm so fantastic. Yeah, that's it. No, I.

 

00:36:55:19 - 00:37:14:17

Speaker 1

Know it's a we don't need to say anything else because that is just really beautiful. It's really beautiful. Yeah. And and I will say, well, when you're when, when you become that president and I had, you know, I'm going to we're going to send this back out and be like, you heard it first here. You heard it first to hear.

 

00:37:14:18 - 00:37:15:03

Speaker 3

A lot.

 

00:37:15:07 - 00:37:28:22

Speaker 2

Of the people waiting for your time today. I really appreciate it. This was awesome. And, you know, if there are any things that I can do to support what you're doing, Juliette, and continue to work with you, Cynthia, please don't hesitate to reach out.

 

00:37:29:00 - 00:37:36:23

Speaker 1

Thank you. Thank you again so much. And you guys, you know what to do, like re review and share. And thank you for joining another episode of Witness Live with NFL Threat.