We are very excited to introduce the new Leadership Development Consultant and Executive Coach for WEco's Water Leaders Program. 

Please join us in welcoming Ashley Seeley, Ph.D., of Excellence Advantage.

Ashley will work with WEco to continue delivering customized leadership training for water sector professionals that helps maximize their potential and effectiveness—and sense of accomplishment and satisfaction—in finding collaborative solutions to Colorado’s most pressing water challenges.

With over 18 years of experience in leadership and organizational development, talent management, and coaching, Ashley has built a career partnering with organizations to catalyze business results, as well as coaching leaders and executives to define, develop and leverage their strengths to achieve extraordinary success. She has worked with business leaders across industries including government, education, communications, technology, finance, healthcare, hospitality, engineering, aerospace, aviation, cyber, analytics and small businesses.

Ashley earned her Ph.D. in Consulting Psychology (Industrial/Organizational Psychology with a concentration in coaching and individual assessment) from Alliant International University and holds certifications and credentials in Stakeholder Centered Coaching and numerous personality, team and effectiveness tools and assessments.

She is the founder of Excellence Advantage, a leadership, organizational development and coaching firm that helps leaders identify and leverage their unique contributions, facilitates professional growth to excel in current challenges and step into new opportunities, and coaches individuals to develop their strengths and increase their impact on teams and organizations.

“I am excited to be partnering with WEco and advancing the Water Leaders Program in 2021 and beyond. I look forward to the opportunity to meet many of you in the future and work collaboratively to develop leaders and enrich the water community.”

- Ashley Seeley

Ashley will join WEco Leadership Programs Manager Stephanie Scott to facilitate interactive training sessions and provide individual and small group coaching for our 2021 Water Leaders Program participants. She will help elevate the existing program through incorporating new leading-edge and research-backed tools and strategies. We hope this will lead to a long-lasting relationship where she becomes deeply embedded in our WEco community!

We are incredibly thankful for the tremendous contributions of Cheryl Benedict, our previous Leadership Development Consultant and Executive Coach, who for 9 years shepherded over 140 Colorado Water Leaders along their leadership development journey.

Over the years Cheryl worked with our program staff to evolve the program, making it more meaningful and comprehensive every year. Cheryl expertly provided valuable, individualized training throughout the program, focusing on creating a psychologically safe environment for participants to grow in confidence and move toward their full potential. 

Program alumni who had the opportunity to work with Cheryl would often later say that in difficult situations they think, “WWCD - What Would Cheryl Do?” Her generous contributions, compassion, and extensive expertise translated into a skilled and emotionally intelligent group of alumni whose impactful careers and public service are contributing to effective and collaborative solutions for Colorado water today.

While Cheryl will no longer work with the Water Leaders Program, she will  continue to make a positive impact on leaders. Her focus has shifted to organizational development, working deeply within organizations to grow their leaders and prepare them for what’s next.

Recently, Cheryl won the Sound Advice Book Award (UK) for Best New Author 2020 for The Wisdom of Transition; Navigating Change at Work, which features stories from several of our Water Leaders alumni. She has plans to launch a podcast called "The In-Between" where she’ll invite guests to talk about transitions that have become transformational.  

“I have cherished my time with the Water Leaders Program. The connections made and the magic of Water Leaders will continue to live on in my heart. I’m a Maximizer, which means I derive an intrinsic and powerfully felt joy when I get to nurture the growth and development of others. I grin as I remember the nervousness of some of the Water Leaders during that first day of class – and now look at where you are today! It’s been a joy to be on this journey with you.”  

- Cheryl Benedict

Cheryl was an invaluable partner in helping grow Water Leaders into the highly regarded program it is today, and we are confident her legacy will live on in the program’s continued evolution. Undoubtedly she will continue to be a resource to this community. Thank you, Cheryl, for imparting your wisdom on us!

Sincerely, 

The WEco team