Honored to Celebrate…

Ashley Betts is a recent graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School MPA and Wharton School MBA programs. She is a dedicated advocate for diversity, actively participating in the Harvard Kennedy School's Diversity Committee, serving as a Diversity Associate in Enrollment Services, co-chairing the Black Student Union, and acting as CMO for the Black Policy Conference. Prior to her graduate studies, Ashley gained valuable experience in finance at General Electric and Baker Hughes. Concurrently, she initiated corporate social responsibility programs aimed at enhancing racial representation in her company and within STEM fields. Ashley has also provided advisory services on diversity and mobilizing private capital for social impact at the United States Congress, Bain & Company, and Goldman Sachs. She has received notable awards and fellowships, including the University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Involvement Recognition Award, the Wharton School's Meckler Family Leadership Fellowship, Harvard's Center for Public Leadership's Fellowship for Serving African American Communities, as well as Harvard's Titus and Venus Legacy Award.

I was born in Meridian, Mississippi, a place stepped in cultural richness and a complex, historical backdrop. One of the pivotal life lessons ingrained in me from my childhood centers around the imperative of working towards a better world. This lesson is founded on principles of respect, diligence, and the conviction that individual actions are the seeds of positive change. It has been a driving force in shaping both my personal and professional path, igniting my unwavering dedication to issues of racial equity and social justice. Growing up as the daughter of resilient Black American parents in Mississippi, a state marked by its civil rights struggles, has cemented my resolute commitment to this cause, and it remains a steadfast guiding principle in my life.

I pursued an MBA from the Wharton School and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School because I firmly believe that tackling today's complex global issues requires a holistic approach that melds insights from both the private and public sectors. I was drawn to Wharton's prestigious finance program, recognizing the pivotal role of data analytics in shaping strategies pertaining to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), social impact, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, all of which I am deeply passionate about. My decision to attend the Harvard Kennedy School was motivated by the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with world-renowned policy experts and connect with brilliant leaders from around the world. This dual-degree pursuit equips me with a diverse skill set that enables me to bridge the divide between the public and private sectors, facilitating innovative solutions to urgent global challenges.

During my time at HKS, I held leadership roles, including Co-President of the Harvard Kennedy School Black Student Union, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Associate in Enrollment Services, Outreach Chair for the Black Policy Conference, and a member of the HKS Diversity Committee. In these capacities, I led various initiatives aimed at increasing Black student representation, supporting recruitment efforts for prospective BIPOC students, and organizing events like the inaugural Youth Policy Day and Admitted Student initiative during the Black Policy Conference. I also played a key role in launching the Kennedy School's first "Humans of HKS" Storytelling Slam, fostering unity through shared stories of hope, inspiration, and identity. These extracurricular activities provided invaluable hands-on leadership experience and allowed me to contribute to meaningful initiatives. They have been instrumental in preparing me for the challenges and opportunities in the workplace as we strive to drive positive change.

I'm eager to embark on a new chapter in my career as a management consultant at Bain & Company in Washington, DC. My dual-degree has been instrumental in preparing me for this next professional step by endowing me with a versatile skill set. What makes this opportunity particularly exciting is the application of the interdisciplinary perspective I acquired at HKS to tackle pressing issues. My HKS education has honed my ability to approach problems holistically, considering not only their financial implications but also their broader societal impact. I am confident that the knowledge and perspective gained at HKS will be invaluable as I strive to make a meaningful impact in my role at Bain & Company.

My advice to HKS students of color interested in finance/business careers with a focus on corporate social responsibility is this: Don't limit your perception of social impact to the public sector alone. While there's a common misconception that the most significant social change happens within government or non-profit organizations, the finance and business industries present vast opportunities to drive meaningful social impact. As responsible corporate citizens, it is our collective responsibility to hold corporations accountable for their actions and advocate for positive change in the communities where they operate.

In these fields, there are numerous avenues to effect positive social change. Whether you're in a financial, marketing, or management role, be creative in identifying areas where you can make a meaningful impact. From sustainable business practices to ethical investments and diversity and inclusion initiatives, there are ample opportunities to drive change, promote accountability, and contribute to a more socially responsible corporate landscape. Embrace the belief that no matter your role or industry, there are countless areas in society where transformation is needed, and your unique perspective as a person of color can be a powerful catalyst for positive change.

Serving as the Student Liaison Director for the HKS BAA holds personal significance and professional importance for me. Having previously led the HKS Black Student Union, I witnessed the transformative impact of fostering a strong relationship between the BAA and BSU. This collaboration was a top priority during my tenure, and I am enthusiastic about continuing this work beyond graduate school.

The BAA's mission deeply resonates with my values, and I am inspired by the current board's dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Harvard community. I firmly believe in the influential role alumni networks play in driving lasting change and am eager to contribute my skills and experiences to further the BAA's mission. Joining the BAA board offers a unique opportunity to build upon the foundation I helped establish as BSU president, and I am committed to leveraging my leadership abilities and passion for inclusivity to contribute to the board's ambitious goals for this community.

If I could take a vacation next week, I would travel to…Ashely: ”Phuket, Thailand”

The themes song for my life right now is… Ashley: “It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas 😊.”

One of my favorite HKS memories is… Ashley: “Representing HKS at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 52nd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) Expo!”