Ashley Richard is the Director, Indigenous Entrepreneurship at United College - University of Waterloo. Ashley has over 13 years experience in supporting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth communities, entrepreneurs, and youth.

She holds a Master of Management in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from the Smith School of Business at Queen's University, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Aboriginal Business Studies and Economic Development from the University of Manitoba's Asper School of Business. Ashley was the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award, Outstanding Young Alumni, from the University of Manitoba, the Oscar Lathin Memorial Award from Ka Ni Kanichihk in 2021, and the Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award in 2014. She has published her research on Indigenous economic development in academic journals and reports. She served as a Board Member for RRC Polytech for 7 years. She is a proud Indigenous woman with Métis and Ojibway heritage, coming from the Richard Family from Pine Creek First Nation and and the McLeod family from Camperville, Manitoba.