Meet Ashley 

Ashley Thao, an Employment Consultant out of Rise’s Northeast Minneapolis office, is the Champion of the Month for October 2025. She joined Rise four years ago after completing her bachelor’s degree. Prior to that, she gained experience through internships that focused on resource navigation and housing support. 

Ashley was drawn to Rise because of the supportive and collaborative culture. “The collaboration and care each staff member makes Rise an easy place to work,” she shared. Her favorite part of the job is being able to walk alongside the people she supports as they pursue meaningful employment. “I love getting to know the people I support and exploring different employment opportunities that makes them content,” she said. 

She is especially proud of the progress she witnesses over time. “What makes me proud is seeing the big or small wins, and seeing how far a person has come from the beginning of supporting them until the end.” 

Ashley’s Impact 

Ashley’s impact is felt throughout her team, where she is known for her dedication and embodiment of Rise’s Standards of Excellence. Her manager, Jenn Johnson, describes Ashley as someone who “approaches every situation with deep respect for her peers, the people we serve, and the work we do.” 

Colleagues regularly see how her communication style “fosters trust and collaboration,” and how she ensures others feel heard. Jenn shared, “Ashley holds herself to the highest standards, modeling excellence in every interaction.” 

Ashley’s leadership also shines through the initiative she takes. Jenn highlighted a moment when Ashley “initiated and led a peer training on scams that could impact the people we support,” giving the team important tools to recognize and respond to potential risks. 

During a period of staffing shortages and shifting program needs, Ashley’s adaptability stood out. She “stepped up without hesitation,” taking on additional caseloads while maintaining high-quality support. Jenn emphasized that Ashley embraced “a whole new type of billing, something entirely outside her usual program,” and committed herself to learning the process thoroughly. 

Jenn summed up the team’s feelings simply: “Ashley Thao is AMAZING.” 

Ashley’s supervisor, Hollie Petersen, echoed this wholeheartedly: “I am so aligned with this nomination for Ashley; it covers a lot of ground on Ashley’s strengths and deservedness for this nomination! I am excited to support this nomination.” 

Her director, Robert Reedy, added, “I am in agreement with this nomination as well. Ashley is a leader on the team and deserves the recognition.” 

Ashley Outside of Rise 

Away from work, Ashley enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, trying new restaurants, watching movies, crafting, and playing video games.