Ashlee Lawson lawsonas@gmail.com StartingBloc (LA ‘14)

I’m most excited about the opportunity to surround myself with people that are like-minded

(read: just as passionate as I am) and smarter than me. Whether it be the speakers on the

agenda, or fellow, fellows, I look forward to hearing their stories and connecting to their

past and present.

I currently work for a Public Charter School in Washington DC that operates on a

cyclical framework of understanding, taking action, and believing.* As a StartingBloc

Fellow, I hope to gain:

A clearer understanding of the breadth of opportunities available in the social

sector, and where it is I fit best.

A stronger belief in myself as a connector, innovator and change agent.

The confidence to take action, and push forward toward accomplish my goals.

At this juncture in my career, I have finally begun making intentional decisions, and actively

seeking out and participating in (professional) development activities that yield the greatest

result (StartingBloc :]).

I’ve got a strong feeling that I would walk away from the experience with a newfound sense

of urgency, and finally equipped with the tools and inspiration to take action.

Q1. What do you hope to gain from the StartingBloc Fellowship?

How will the Fellowship help you to achieve your goals?

*Awesome diagram adopted

from the Cesar Chavez PCS

Public Policy Framework.

Ashlee Lawson lawsonas@gmail.com StartingBloc (LA ‘14)

Q2The StartingBloc Fellowship is a diverse community, with

Fellows coming from a wide variety of sectors and

backgrounds. How will contribute to this community?

I could spend time sifting through a long list of

academic and professional accomplishments, but

those aren't necessarily the things I am most

proud of…

...I work hard, every day, to be the best version of

myself. Stay true to my beliefs, maintain

integrity in all endeavors, and nurture my

authentic self.

Hardest thing(s) I’ve ever done.

There are few things more energizing than making genuine connections with others. In my

time with StartingBloc, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the Fellowship community by

bringing out the best in others.

This is a picture (albeit blurry) of the

best version of me.

Humbled. Happy. Grateful.

Ashlee Lawson lawsonas@gmail.com StartingBloc (LA ‘14)

I’m Ashlee. A (late) twenty-something, college graduate making waves in my professional career! Thus far, there isn’t anything would take back. I have made all of the right decisions, at the right times, and am currently on track to achieve all of my professional goals.

Only, this isn’t a perfect world, and most of the above is not reality. My name is indeed Ashlee and I did have the pleasure of attending and graduating from The University of Michigan, but that is where it ends. Now, six years post-graduation, I can’t help but wonder where things went wrong.

As a teen, I can remember daydreaming about the future. All I could envision was success and stability in my professional life. Attend a great college, land an awesome (well paying) position at the firm of my choice, and live happily ever after climbing a shining corporate ladder. Then I “grew up”. The daydreams began to fade.

I do not say all of this because I am not proud of my accomplishments, but as an acknowledgement of the fact that I have yet to scratch the surface of my potential. I am aware that I am standing in my own way. I strongly believe that participating in the StartingBloc Fellowship program will present the tools, resources and network of do-gooders crucial to bringing those daydreams back to the forefront.

Over the last six years, unfulfilling jobs, countless job applications, and even more disappointments, there has been one constant: my desire to be an agent of change. Encourage social responsibility, connect people to their communities, and promote ‘paying it forward’. As technology and (social) media continue to alter the landscape of interaction between people, it is my hope to find ways to encourage presence, foster philanthropy and disrupt the non-profit norm.

Q3. Is there anything else you’d like to share that we did not ask

about?