WOMEN TO WATCH
2019

Ashley Coleman

Director of Operations
Apptegy

I was originally recruited by Apptegy, an education technology company, to help build a people operations team, which meant developing a recruitment strategy that would help Apptegy nearly double in size, along with scaling our culture and other initiatives. I was recently promoted to director of operations where my focus is identifying interdepartmental efficiencies and improving internal communication across the company. I also teach TRX suspension training at FastFit. I really enjoy helping people move better, boost their self-confidence and develop healthier habits.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

How I knew this was my passion:

I found my passion in Apptegy’s culture and how we treat our people. A culture-first, employee-centric company is hard to find, and I continue to be driven by our desire to offer people a fun and challenging place to work.

Best advice I've ever received:

Roll the dice. I was initially hesitant to sign up for work I’d never done at a startup I’d not yet heard about. My family and friends helped me realize I’d regret it if I chose the safer option.

The one thing I wish people knew about my field:

Operations means something different for each company. At Apptegy, the team collaborate across all departments. We know more about each team than most, and we have the unique opportunity to understand our business both broadly and in great detail.

I wish I knew how to:

Be more spontaneous. I am an obsessive planner, but it could be fun and exciting to book a ticket to somewhere new and just figure out the rest along the way.

What makes Little Rock feel like home:

The community I’ve found here, including the personal connections I’ve made socially, my local family members, the tribe I’ve discovered at FastFit and the friendships I’ve found in my coworkers.

Biggest challenges in my career:

Growth. It sounds awesome in the abstract, but the imposter syndrome, the hard conversations and developing resilience are all very challenging. Facing adversity by pushing my boundaries has been the hardest and most rewarding part of my career.

Advice for my 18-year-old self:

Make the most of your college years. Soak up every opportunity to meet new people, have new experiences, put yourself out there and see just how big the world really is.

Best career moment so far:

The opportunity to lead a team of brilliant people in making Apptegy even greater as we scale. It’s not a chance I ever hoped to have, and I’m so humbled and excited by the challenges that lie ahead for us.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Hometown

Texarkana

First thing I do at the office

Make the coffee

Best coffee in town

Blue Sail's lavender latte

Binge watch

True crime documentaries/docuseries

Last good read

"The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz

Podcast recommendation

Still Processing" from the New York Times

Best recent local discovery

Aji Ramen Bar

Latest splurge

Books, lots of books

Hobbies

Fitness, reading and fashion

Most-used app

Slack

SPONSORS