Ashley Von Hatten

Excellence in Leadership 2019

Sheila O'Brien Award recipient


Biography

Ashley Von Hatten is in her final year of her Bachelor of Arts in geography, coming to UCalgary with a diploma in architectural technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. In addition to her academic pursuits, Ashley has been a dedicated volunteer and a key member of the Women’s Resource Centre community since January 2016. 

Through the WRC community, Ashley was able to explore her passion for supporting others, both in the context of peer support and in a leadership capacity by helping volunteers achieve their goals. Having been relatively new to the idea of allyship, Ashley used much of her time volunteering to garner a deeper understanding of social justice though events and dialogues at the WRC to better understand how to support others. 

Ashley created meaningful volunteer experiences as a peer leader — notably, contributing to The Weave, facilitating Journal Club and supporting new peer helpers. Ashley initially joined the Volunteer Engagement and Development team, and became connected to all aspects of the volunteer experience by later joining the Events and Education and Community Outreach and Peer Support teams. Ashley is the only volunteer who has served in a team leader position for all three teams. She said that the Women’s Resource Centre provided invaluable opportunities for her to shape her activist identity and knowledge — but above all else, it provided a space where she could be herself. 

Ashley was selected by her WRC volunteer peers to be recognized for outstanding contributions to the WRC, her warm leadership style and her commitment to fostering an inclusive, compassionate and supportive space for the campus community.