Employee Spotlight – Ashley Beck

This month’s Employee Spotlight is on Project Manager Ashley Beck. Ashley has only been with Engage fi since March of this year, but she has been familiar with the company for a long time. In 2016 the credit union Ashley was working for enlisted the help of Engage fi (then CU Engage) to assist with their Digital Banking Vendor Selection.  Throughout that project, Ashley worked with “the amazing and talented Jenn Addabbo,” and kept in touch over the next few years.  Ashley watched Engage fi grow and engage with many of her Credit Union peers, and over time she realized she wanted to be a part of what the company was doing and took the leap to join the team.

Ashley has a background in Mergers and Acquisitions, Project Management, and Implementations. As part of the Engage fi team, Ashley coordinates with the internal team as well as clients to coordinate resources and third parties or vendors for the flawless execution of projects. Ashely has many moving parts in her role, but she handles each with finesse. She is a self-proclaimed “obsessive list maker” making lists for everything and getting genuine pleasure when she can cross items off.

Ashley is from Michigan, where she lives with her husband and two teenage boys, who just kicked off their senior and 8th-grade years. An animal lover, Ashley is the proud pet parent of a dog named Molly, six chickens, a bearded dragon, and all the creatures and critters that live in her pond and woods. Passionate and sarcastic, Ashley is Enneagram 6 which means she is steady, loyal, and keeps things running, even behind the scenes, without needing attention or being in the spotlight.

Luckily for us this month the spotlight is on Ashley not because she needs it, but because she is an important part of the project team, and she deserves it! Want to know more about Ashley? Read on.

Q&A with Ashley

Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?                                    A: Our Clients! I love getting to know them and how each financial institution puts their own spin on providing the best products and services for their account holders.

Q: What are some of your hobbies outside the office?                            A: With two teenage boys most of my time is dedicated to being a Football and Wrestling Mom but when I’m not sitting in bleachers or shuttling them around town I enjoy camping and cookouts with friends,

Q: What makes you laugh?                                                                          A: Looking back at my own mistakes

Q: What inspires you?                                                                                    A: My Family.  They make me want to be the best version of myself.

Q: Do you have a motto or a mantra? What is it?                                    A: Fear ends where faith begins.

Q: What would you do if you won the lottery?                                          A: Pay off debt and take my family and friends on the vacation of a lifetime!

Q: If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?                                                                                                    A: Pizza!  Switch up the sauce, cheese, and toppings, you can transform it into whatever your heart desires!

Q: What is your definition of success?                                                        A: Making a positive impact in someone else life.

Q: If you could pick one theme for Engage fi to turn into a book about the company, what would you choose?                                        A: Client Success Stories

Q: Are you messy or organized?                                                                  A: I like to call it organized chaos…

Q: What is your spirit animal?                                                                        A: Koala

Q: What book did you read last?                                                                A: One Italian Summer  by Rebecca Serle

Q: What is an ability you wish you had?                                                      A: To pause time!  Its creeping up on me too quickly!

Q: What is on your bucket list?                                                                    A: Lots of Travel!

Q: What was your favorite book, toy, or outfit as a child?                        A: My Pink Sequin, tasseled Cowboy boots.

Q: When was the last time you laughed so hard that you cried?          A: Sitting around a bonfire with friends; never a dull moment with my crew!

Q: Where is your hometown?  Where are you now?  If different, what brought you there?                                                                                        A: While I technically “grew up” a few towns over I consider my current town my Hometown because this is where my family has lived for over 100 years.  This was where we knew we wanted to raise our family and I love the Small Town “Village” I have here.

Q: When are you happiest?                                                                        A: I’m surrounded by friends and family

Q: What is your favorite thing or place in the city you live in?                A: The Traditions and Small Town atmosphere.  I love being a part of a community where everyone knows your name and you know you always have the support of family and friends.

Q: What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?                                    A: I’m a pretty picky eater so what’s weird for me might be pretty normal for most.

Q: What was your first concert?                                                                  A: Boys II Men at the County Fair in 5^th grade

Q: What does true leadership mean to you?                                            A: Inspiring others to achieve their goals and reach for the stars.

Q: What are your top three life highlights?                                                A: 1. Becoming a mom, 2. Marrying my husband, 3. Being Baptized

Q: Advice for new hires?                                                                              A: Take it all in.  Read everything you can get your hands on.  Don’t be afraid to jump in!

Q: If you could learn to do any one thing, what would it be?                A: Whistle! Like the really loud kind with my fingers.

Q: When you have 30 minutes of free time, what are you doing?          A: Probably dancing in my kitchen while cooking

Q: What chore do you hate?                                                                      A: Laundry!  With two teenage boys in sports, it’s quite the task!

Q: Are you a hunter or a gatherer?                                                            A: A gatherer. I usually leave the hunting to my husband and sons-but I have been known to beat them out during target practice!

Q: Have you ever met anyone famous?                                                    A: The Monkey from Friends!

Q: What is on the radio in your car?                                                            A: Anything from Christian to Hip Hop and everything in between.  But lately, it’s been a lot of Country.

Q: If you were the newest crayon in the box, what color would you be and why?                                                                                                  A: A muted tone of purple.  It doesn’t stand out in a crowd but still likes to have a good time.