Ashley speaking to a classroom of students

Guest Speaker: Ashley with Savvy Pathways

Real stories, real talk, and real next steps for students who do not always see themselves in traditional success stories.

Ashley is a first generation college graduate, tech leader, and youth mentor who turned a non traditional path and plenty of detours into a career she loves.

Request Ashley as a Speaker
Professional headshot of Ashley, founder of Savvy Pathways

Meet Ashley

Ashley is the founder of Savvy Pathways and Savvy Ashley, LLC, a youth focused brand that blends real world career insight, life skills, and honest conversation about what it actually takes to move forward in life.

She currently serves as an Enterprise Applications Manager for a public school district in Maryland. Ashley works behind the scenes on the systems that keep schools running, from student information and HR to finance and timekeeping. She pairs this experience with her work as an entrepreneur through Savvy Events, a 360 photo booth company that serves local schools, nonprofits, and corporate clients.

A first generation college graduate with a master’s degree in Information Technology, Ashley did not follow a neat, straight path. She moved many times growing up, navigated financial stress, and built her career step by step while raising her daughter and learning to advocate for herself at work and in life.

This is the story she brings into classrooms and youth programs. It is honest, relatable, and focused on helping students believe that their current chapter does not have to define the rest of their story.

Ashley at a community event with the 360 photo booth
Ashley interacting with students during a workshop
Ashley working at a laptop, preparing for a student session

Why Students Connect With Ashley

  • She speaks in plain language and shares real stories about missed opportunities, second chances, and what she would do differently.
  • She understands students who feel behind, burnt out, or disconnected from school and helps them see practical next steps, not just big dreams.
  • She works daily in technology and education, so her advice connects directly to real jobs and real expectations in the workplace.
  • She has led Girl Scout troops, youth projects, and teams, guiding students through planning, communication, and follow through.
  • She shows students how interests like tech, creativity, and side hustles can come together to build a life that feels like their own.
  • Her sessions are interactive, with reflection questions, simple action steps, and opportunities for students to share their own ideas.

Sample Topics and Signature Talks

From Detours to Degrees

Ashley walks students through her non traditional journey from frequent moves and financial stress to becoming a first generation college graduate and IT leader. This session focuses on choices, support systems, and how to keep moving even when life feels messy.

Tech Careers Behind the Scenes

Students often imagine tech as coding only. Ashley shares the many roles that support school systems and businesses, from applications management to data and support, and breaks down what skills matter most for students who enjoy problem solving and people.

Money, Mindset, and First Paychecks

Designed for older students and workforce readiness programs, this session covers basic money habits, realistic talk about debt and credit, and simple ways to use first jobs to build options instead of stress.

Project Planning for Real Life

Using her experience leading Girl Scouts and youth projects, Ashley helps students break big ideas into manageable steps, practice communication, and learn how to follow through from start to finish.

Sessions can be adapted for elementary through high school, including alternative education programs, after school programs, and youth leadership groups.

Ideal Audiences and Session Formats

Schools

  • Alternative education programs
  • Career days and assemblies
  • Classroom talks
  • After school clubs

Youth Organizations

  • Girl Scouts and youth leadership
  • Community centers
  • Nonprofit programs
  • Summer and school break programs

Formats

  • Keynote style sessions
  • Interactive workshops
  • Panel participation
  • Virtual or in person
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“Students do not need perfect examples. They need real stories, simple tools, and adults who believe they are still capable of something good even on their hardest days.”

Ashley, Founder of Savvy Pathways

Request Ashley as a Guest Speaker

Share a few details about your event or program and we will follow up with availability and next steps.