Making Bold Moves: Queenside Founder & CEO Featured in Bold Journey Magazine
At Queenside Ventures, we believe that every decision holds power. That belief is rooted in the very foundation of our work - and no one exemplifies it better than our Founder & CEO, Ashley Lynn Priore.
We’re thrilled to share that Ashley was recently featured in Bold Journey magazine, where she opened up about the mindset behind her work, the role chess has played in shaping her leadership, and why strategic thinking has never been more vital.
In her interview, Ashley makes one thing clear: chess is more than a game - it’s a way of life. Starting her competitive chess journey at age four, Ashley quickly realized that each move on the board mirrors the decisions we make in business, leadership, and personal growth. “Every move has consequences,” she shared. “You’re constantly evaluating patterns, anticipating outcomes, and deciding when to take risks or stay the course.”
It’s this mindset that has propelled Ashley to build not one, but two influential organizations. At Queens Gambit, the national nonprofit she founded at just 14, chess is used as a framework to teach critical thinking, confidence, and civic engagement to thousands of young people across the country. And through Queenside Ventures, Ashley has become a trusted strategic advisor to teams, global brands, and bold changemakers, helping them chart winning strategies on and off the field.
In Bold Journey, Ashley reflects on the traits that matter most in today’s ever-changing world:
Strategic thinking, or knowing how to plan your next move with clarity and purpose.
Adaptability, because rigidity is the enemy of progress.
Empathy, the foundation of meaningful leadership and sustainable growth.
She also speaks candidly about one of today’s most pressing challenges: the erosion of critical thinking in our fast-paced, shortcut-driven culture. “We’ve outsourced our thinking,” she warns, “and that’s dangerous.” Her solution? Double down on the deep work. That’s where programs like Project d4 - a global initiative to teach one million women to play and lead with chess—come in.
Whether she’s speaking to students, advising CEOs, or designing leadership development sessions for NFL athletes, Ashley’s message stays the same: you’re never stuck - you’re one strategic move away from transformation.
We’re proud to celebrate this recognition of Ashley’s work and hope it inspires you to look at the world - and your decisions - through a more intentional, powerful lens.
Ready to map your own chessboard? Let’s talk strategy.
