Drill Sergeant. Chief Warrant Officer Two. Disabled Veteran. HR Leader. Author. Mother. Entrepreneur. Survivor. Ashley Banks combines professional authority with lived experience to deliver honest, compelling messages that connect with people—and move them to action.

She holds an Associate of Arts in General Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Sociology, and a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management. With 16 years of experience engaging, teaching, coaching, and leading diverse audiences, Ashley knows how to meet people where they are—and move them forward.

Her audiences have ranged from civilians transforming into soldiers, senior military leaders, hourly associates, Department of the Treasury officials, corporate vice presidents, and chief executive officers. As the author of A Young Black King Can Be Anything, Ashley has also spoken to children about believing in themselves, dreaming beyond their circumstances, and recognizing that they can become anything. She has spoken and led conversations on resilience, motivation, mental health, diversity and inclusion, leadership, workplace culture, and human resources practices.

Ashley does not speak from theory alone. She speaks from lived experience—fighting her way through depression that nearly cost her life, navigating family rejection, enduring harassment and workplace bullying, rebuilding her identity after leaving the military, and choosing to pursue her dream life at 40. Through honest storytelling, professional expertise, and her signature practical frameworks, Become Before™ and The One Move Rule™, Ashley gives audiences more than inspiration. She challenges them to decide who they want to become—and make one intentional move toward that life. Your next speaker is one move away. Give your audience a message they will feel, remember, and act on. Make the move—book Ashley Banks today.