Ashley is a self-taught communications strategist and narrative builder with 7 years of experience helping non-profits, start-ups, research centers, podcasts, university offices, and academics develop messaging and build public presence.
If you are interested in how Ashley can help you, your organization, or your podcast, visit the Sapling Consulting page or contact her for a free consult.
Please refer to my previous work below.
Scholarly Impact & Communication Specialist
Office of Faculty Affairs at University of Colorado-Boulder
Jan. 2022—Oct. 2022
More information coming soon.
Research & Narrative Strategist
The Wakeman Agency
Aug. 2021—Jan. 2022
The Wakeman Agency is a social change firm that deploys culturally competent and transformative communications practices to address the most pressing social issues of our time. As a Research and Narrative Strategist, I assisted with messaging strategy development for multiple clients with a focus on inclusive language, historically and culturally centered stories, data-driven narratives, and DEI strategy. My responsibilities included:
Craft messaging to advance client goals for communication
Assess stakeholder needs through surveys, focus groups, and interviews
Research issues in narrative and social justice
Analyze data for communication strategy
Write narratives, talking points, and language to advance client’s work
For one year from June 2014 to July 2015, I worked with Norm’s Farms as a content marketer assisting in building out the food start-up’s messaging, branded content, and brand presence in stakeholder communities. I joined the company on a contract basis as they were expanding their market and hoping to develop a national presence.
My work consisted of:
Establishing their presence among key demographics in the health and mom blogging communities
Developing social media content and messaging
Building public following through social media and SEO content
Writing copy with the aim of humanizing the brand and informing public on the health potential of elderberries
Presenting on marketing plan for an investment pitch
“Ashley is a gem. She worked with me when my startup was going through a summer accelerator program and blew me away with her work quality and level of engagement. She often went above and beyond the tasks that were assigned to her, and approached me with new ideas and ways that we could not only accomplish our tactics but also improve our overall strategy. I highly recommend her and think that anyone who has the opportunity to work with her will be lucky to experience her dedication to a thorough, thoughtful, and excellent work product” — Erin Lenhardt, co-Founder
I worked with the Center for Media, Religion and Culture in various capacities from 2016 to 2021. My contribution to their communications strategy was in the following way:
Maintaining social media presence
Building public following to over 1k on Twitter
Writing research-based content for their blog
Producing and editing the Center’s temporary podcast
Developing a professional yet playful tone for social media messaging
Facilitating webinars
Marketing Center events via email, social media, and website
Website maintenance
In 2018 and 2019, I collaborated with Rev. Anne Dunlap on the messaging and public outreach for the podcast “The Word is Resistance.” My consulting on this project consisted of:
Providing feedback on current messaging and outreach
Outlining steps to build a social media following
Drafting copy for website and podcasting platforms
Assisted in developing a one-sentence podcast tag
Advising on best podcasting practices
In 2013, I worked with the Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions to produce content and organize events for the non-profit’s 20th anniversary. My role as the 20th Anniversary Coordinator included:
Designing branded brochures and other material about organizational history
Interviewing stakeholders on organizational impact
Organizing a day-long anniversary event for stakeholders
Assisting with social media management
