Инновации и идеи

Executive Insights with Ashley Wise: Breaking Barriers in Finance Leadership

21 апреля 2025

Providence Health Plan’s (PHP) Vice President of Finance, Ashley Wise, recently sat down with Candace Beeke, president and publisher of the Portland Business Journal, for a conversation about women's leadership in the healthcare industry. In this interview for the Biz Women Coalition, Ashley shared valuable perspectives on overcoming career challenges, authentic leadership, and work-life integration.

Taking the Leap: Embracing Career Challenges

Ashley's journey to her current role as VP of Finance wasn't without obstacles. Coming from a background primarily in accounting, she faced the challenge of applying for a position where she didn't feel "100% qualified." Referencing Sheryl Sandberg's observations in "Lean In" about the confidence gap many women experience, Ashley acknowledged the tendency for women to hesitate applying for jobs unless they meet all qualifications.

"I really had to overcome that gap, apply for something that was a stretch for me, and just really understand that I had the capabilities and the drive to learn what I didn't know," Ashley said. Adding to the challenge, she interviewed for the position when her daughter was just two months old.

This experience has shaped her own approach to hiring and developing talent. Rather than focusing solely on current skills, Ashley looks for potential and creates opportunities for growth within her team.

Balancing Authenticity and Executive Presence

One of Ashley's most valuable career lessons has been finding the balance between maintaining her executive presence and showing her authentic self. Earlier in her career, she felt these qualities were mutually exclusive, often leaning toward maintaining a strictly professional appearance.

Over time, she's discovered the power of vulnerability in leadership, saying, "I've learned to kind of balance sharing myself at work. I love pizza, I love traveling, I love my dogs and my daughter, and then balancing that with the executive presence to come to board meetings."

This approach has made her more approachable as a leader and strengthened relationships with her team, colleagues, and clients – proving that authenticity and executive presence can coexist to create more effective leadership.

Purpose-Driven Leadership

Ashley's connection to PHP began long before she joined the organization. As a former public accounting professional who worked with Providence as a client, she witnessed firsthand how the organization's mission drives its operations.

"The mission statement is not just a statement. It's really how they live their values, how they take care of their caregivers, take care of their members, their patients," she said.

Her passion for nonprofit healthcare, combined with her desire to be part of meaningful industry transformation, continues to fuel her work at PHP. Ashley is motivated by the opportunity to impact healthcare delivery in a direct and positive way.

The Value of Direct Mentorship

Throughout her career, Ashley has benefited from strong mentors, many of whom have been women. She particularly values mentors who provide honest, direct feedback that helps identify areas for growth.

She recalled receiving feedback about her direct communication style early in her career – a quality that can be both an asset and a challenge. This insight allowed her to become more self-aware and adapt her approach when needed.

Ashley now pays this forward by providing similar direct, growth-oriented feedback to those she mentors, emphasizing the importance of understanding both strengths and development opportunities.

Setting Boundaries for Work-Life Integration

When asked about work-life balance, Ashley acknowledged the challenge many professionals face. Her advice is refreshingly practical: identify your highest priorities, set clear boundaries, and most importantly, respect those boundaries yourself.

"If you don't respect your own boundaries, other people won't either," she said. While recognizing that occasional flexibility is necessary for urgent matters, she encourages professionals to prioritize what they need to be their best selves at work, including mental health, physical well-being, and family commitments.

Ashley has moved beyond the concern that personal priorities might be viewed as a lack of work ethic. "I think I've felt like before in my career that using those things as a reason to need time off for work was seen as a negative to my work ethic or my productivity, but literally to connect with people, a lot of people that can connect with you, in being a parent, in liking exercise and needing a mental break," she said.

Leading by Example

As Vice President of Finance at PHP, Ashley Wise exemplifies how women leaders can navigate traditionally male-dominated fields with authenticity, purpose, and balance. By sharing her experiences and insights, she not only contributes to her organization's success but also helps pave the way for future generations of women leaders in healthcare and finance.

Through her servant leadership style and commitment to developing others, Ashley demonstrates that effective leadership is about much more than technical expertise – it's about bringing your whole self to work, setting healthy boundaries, and creating opportunities for others to grow and thrive.