Ashleigh Gray ─ Partner leader establishing lasting partnerships through strategic vision and communication…
December 7, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Updated October 2022
Ashleigh Gray
Founding Director
Women in Alliances
(Previously—Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Vidyard)
Are you looking for a partner leader who leverages innovative strategic vision and communications to establish lasting partner relationships? We know the person—Ashleigh Gray!
Ashleigh Gray is the Vice President, Strategic Partnerships for Vidyard, a B2B video platform and analytics software company. She is responsible for driving win-win corporate alliances at Vidyard, leveraging her skill in innovative strategic vision and communications to establish lasting partner relationships. She has a talent for inspiring and motivating teams, and is a collaborative and influential coach, participating in mentorship programs for women throughout her career. Ashleigh is a Founding Director of Women In Alliances, a subgroup of Alliance Best Practice Ltd, and is often seen sitting on a panel discussion where topics focus on women in leadership.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Ashleigh Gray!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I graduated with a BSc in Neuropsychology and was planning on continuing on to medical school to study psychiatry.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
I never counted but it felt like a lot, especially having a young family. I was in Europe quarterly and the US every other week.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
I am not a very adventurous eater but when I travelled to South Africa I ate Crocodile, which was surprisingly delicious.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
After my second Maternity leave, I was so eager to start a new career that I accepted a great package at a company I had not properly done my homework on. I was so miserable by month 9 that I decided to leave and allowed myself the space I needed to seek out a role in a firm that was a great match for me from a growth and cultural perspective.
When I began in technology, I joined a fairly large team where I was the only female and the team was much more experienced than me. It was a tough first few months with several comments from male peers that added to the impostor feeling I was experiencing. I became laser focused on proving my worth and skill set and by the end of my first year I was awarded the President’s Club award for highest sales results. My favorite quote is “Determination leads to success” because it really does!
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
Yes, my manager in my first role in technology became a lifelong mentor for me. She taught me that is it okay to entrust your most vulnerable self with certain people in business as this is when your biggest learnings take place.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Be kind and patient with yourself. New roles, although exciting, can be very challenging. Allow yourself time, a minimum of six months, to settle into a new role.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I am a big fan of making connections for people. I believe in the power of paying it forward and often connect my younger network to leaders that could help them find their way.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
At my previous firm I had the privilege of building a cross functional Strategic Partnership team from scratch. It was a lot of work, but because it aligned with what I am most passionate about it was a fantastic experience for me and taught me so much about myself and the business.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
Allowing myself the time and space to build genuine relationships both internally and externally in a virtual world.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Ensuring I am fostering a sense of loyalty and psychological safety in a virtual global organization.
