Editor’s note: The August issue of The Lane Report features our semi-annual list of the Top Women in Business. At lanereport.com, we’re shining the spotlight on one of the honorees each day. Day 6: Ashely Foley Klein, agency president for AssuredPartners in Louisville and Indiana.
Our occasional feature, Top Women in Business, highlights some of the women in and around Kentucky who are making an impact in business, the professions, politics and economic development. The feature recognizes women in key roles whose work ethic and body of work are making important contributions to commerce—and life—in Kentucky.
Top Women in Business has grown to become one of The Lane Report’s most popular features. Over the years, we’ve profiled more than 100 women who shatter stereotypes, encourage other businesswomen and help their Kentucky companies reach new heights. The women featured in this issue are no exception. From airport CEO to hospital executive, and successful online retailer to construction company VP, these women are forging their own paths, proving that hard work, perseverance and creativity pays off.
RELATED – Top Women in Business Day 1: Candace McGraw
RELATED – Top Women in Business Day 2: Monica Conrad of LFUCG
RELATED – Top Women in Business Day 3: Pink Lily founder Tori Gerbig
RELATED – Top Women in Business Day 4: Kimberly Halbauer of Fifth Third Bank
RELATED – Top Women in Business Day 5: Julie Brazil of Gravity Diagnostics
Ashely Foley Klein
Ashely Foley Klein is agency president for AssuredPartners in Louisville and Southern Indiana. She has nearly 25 years of experience in the insurance services business.
Title/company: Agency president for AssuredPartners in Louisville and Indiana.
How long at company/position: Six months. Previous jobs/ positions: I spent four years with USI Insurance Services in sales and 20 years with Chubb Ltd., a large global property and casual insurance company, in various underwriting and marketing capacities.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, Centre College, 1996.
Top accomplishment: My biggest accomplishment was being hired as an agency president for AssuredPartners. I wasn’t sure I was ready for such a big responsibility, but regional president Corey Freeman and others had confidence in my experience and work ethic, which was enough for me to accept the position.
The person who most influenced or mentored me: I will be forever grateful to Andy Bryant as a mentor and friend. Andy hired me out of college for an underwriter training position at Chubb. Although I moved to Chubb’s Cincinnati office after my first year, I kept in close contact with him and eventually came back to the Louisville office under his management. Andy not only helped me navigate the business world and Chubb, but also taught me about travel, cooking and other life lessons. He is now retired, but we still keep in touch. He continues to mentor me … and provide those life lessons.
One of my biggest challenges and how I overcame it: I love challenges because I believe you can learn so much through adversity and about yourself by navigating tough situations. The biggest challenge I have had so far is definitely managing work-life balance. For me, it is an ever-evolving challenge. It is never going to be a perfect balance, but the pressure we put on ourselves to keep things at home in check and be at the top of our game in business is tremendous. Every now and then, I think we have to mentally check in with ourselves and say, “It’s OK.” I like to succeed, so it’s hard to let some things go, but finding those pieces of happiness and celebrating them is so important.
My advice to younger women in business: The advice I would give young women who are entering any type of business would be to always remain professional, soak up every bit of knowledge you can, learn from the most experienced people, be patient, and never forget to treat people like you would want to be treated.
Something I learned during the pandemic: I mostly learned I really like to be around people and appreciate the freedom we probably too often take for granted. My husband and I were fortunate to keep our jobs and work from home during the pandemic. We have three children, Frankie (15), Jak (14) and Annie (10), and we all really bonded during this time. However, I was surprised how fulfilled I was going back into an office. It made me happy.
One important skill everyone should have: Everyone should try to improve their emotional intelligence or EQ. It is so important, not only in business, but for personal relationships as well. I have read EQ is “the gateway to living a more fulfilled and happy life.” Having a high EQ allows most of us to self-motivate, be more positive, increase job performance, more effectively communicate and make better decisions.
The most important personal attribute I bring to my job: Leadership. Not on a dictatorship level, but on a servant level. I have always cared about helping others succeed. Now I get to do it on a daily basis. We are one team achieving the best possible results for our clients.
In the next five to 10 years in my job, I hope to accomplish: I would like for our AssuredPartners offices to remain the top broker in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, expressed through our culture, service and client relationships.
A song from my teenage years that I still rock out to when nobody else is around: Not too excited to admit this, but Bon Jovi. My high school friends know this too well.
Lorie Hailey is special publications editor for The Lane Report. Reach her at [email protected].
