Ashley Waters serves as Chief Human Resources Officer at Blue Ridge Associates and is responsible for strategic planning, talent management, culture and employee engagement. Ashley leads human capital strategy and operations, works to align HR strategies with Blue Ridge business goals to drive organizational success, oversees the recruitment, retention, and development of employees to cultivate a high-performing workforce, and promotes a positive workplace culture to enhance employee engagement through innovative initiatives.

Ashley has been with Blue Ridge for more than 17 years, previously serving as Chief Financial Officer, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership in financial strategy and operations. Before joining Blue Ridge, Ashley held key financial roles, including Vice President of Finance and Administration for two privately held companies, where she was instrumental in managing trust accounting functions and served as a Trustee for the companies’ 401(k) plans. Her extensive background of 30 years in both finance and HR provides her with a unique perspective on the intersection of these critical business functions.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Commerce with Distinction from the University of Virginia and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Virginia Society of CPAs, the North Carolina Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, the Society for Human Resource Management, The ESOP Association, and the NCEO. She also holds certifications as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) from the AICPA.