We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ashley Cooks. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Ashley, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What battle are you avoiding?
Starting my own TikTok and Youtube channel documenting my journey as a CEO of a L and D Consulting Firm.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Ashley Cooks, the founder and CEO of EmpowerHER Strategies LLC—a consulting firm dedicated to designing inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive learning experiences. With a background as an award-winning instructional designer, I created EmpowerHER to close the gaps too often left in traditional learning design—especially for marginalized voices across generations, cultures, and cognitive styles.
What makes EmpowerHER unique is our unapologetic focus on inclusion as a strategic advantage. We don’t just talk about diversity—we embed it into the structure of every training, from using adaptive learning technology and immersive simulations to applying universal design and cultural intelligence principles. We believe inclusive learning isn’t just the right thing to do—it drives better engagement, knowledge transfer, and retention.
Our signature presentation, Bridging the Gap: Designing Inclusive Learning for a Diverse Workforce, has been shared at global conferences and sparked real transformation in organizations. We also recently released a practical workbook titled Everyone Learns Here, designed to help learning professionals apply inclusive strategies immediately.
Right now, we’re working on expanding our impact through digital tools, microlearning libraries, and membership models that make inclusive design easy to adopt at scale. I’m passionate about creating learning environments where everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child growing up with dyslexia, I believed I wasn’t smart. I thought struggling to read or needing extra time meant I wasn’t capable—and I carried that weight for a long time. I’d see other kids breeze through assignments while I stumbled over words, and it felt like I was always trying to catch up just to be seen as “average.”
What I didn’t understand then—but know now—is that dyslexia didn’t make me less intelligent; it just meant I processed information differently. And once I started learning in ways that worked for me, everything changed. That shift in mindset gave me the confidence to own my differences rather than hide them.
Now, as the CEO of EmpowerHER Strategies, I design learning experiences that honor all types of learners—including the ones who, like me, have been underestimated or overlooked. I’ve turned what once felt like a limitation into my superpower. My past helps me advocate for those still navigating similar struggles, and I’m proud to say that the little girl who once doubted herself now teaches others how to build learning environments where everyone belongs.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely—there was a moment right before I launched EmpowerHER Strategies LLC when I almost walked away from it all. I had the business plan, the vision, and the passion, but the fear of failure was loud. What if I wasn’t ready? What if no one believed in me? What if I failed publicly?
Starting a business felt like jumping off a cliff and hoping the parachute would open. I kept questioning if I had what it took to be a CEO, to lead, to truly make a difference. But what I didn’t realize then was how loud and real my community’s support would be. Friends, mentors, former coworkers, and even strangers started cheering me on, sharing my work, and reminding me that my voice—and this mission—mattered.
That support became the wind beneath my wings. It silenced the fear and reminded me that I wasn’t building EmpowerHER alone. Now, every time I speak on a stage, publish a workbook, or see our inclusive learning strategies change someone’s experience, I’m so grateful I didn’t give up.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the learning and development industry tells itself is that inclusion is a “nice-to-have”—something we can sprinkle in after the real work is done. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Inclusive design is the real work. If our learning experiences don’t reflect the diversity of the people we serve—across culture, age, ability, language, and more—then we’re not just being inefficient… we’re being harmful.
Another lie? That one-size-fits-all training actually works. It doesn’t. Learners are not monolithic. We all bring unique experiences, preferences, and barriers to the table, yet too many organizations still push out standardized content and wonder why engagement and retention are low.
At EmpowerHER Strategies, we challenge these narratives daily. We believe inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive training isn’t just ethical—it’s strategic. It drives business results, boosts learner confidence, and builds environments where everyone has the chance to grow. That’s not a “bonus”—that’s the future of learning.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy might be that it was easy or that I always had it figured out. From the outside, people may one day look at EmpowerHER Strategies and see a thriving business, global presentations, and bestselling resources—but what they might not see is the fear, the fight, and the deeply personal reasons behind it all.
They might not know I built this company while still healing from childhood beliefs that I wasn’t smart enough. I navigated imposter syndrome, financial risk, and moments of doubt while still showing up and pushing forward. Or that this work is deeply rooted in my own lived experiences—as a Black woman, as someone with dyslexia, as someone who has felt unseen in traditional learning spaces.
So if people misunderstand anything, it might be thinking my legacy was just about building a business. But really, it’s about building belonging for those who’ve been overlooked, underestimated, or unheard. My hope is that long after I’m gone, the ripple effect of that will still be making space for someone else to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empowerherstrategiesllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EmpowerHERstrat
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/companyempowerher-strategies-llc
- Twitter: https://x.com/EmpowerHERstrat
Image Credits
Ashley Cooks
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