Revisiting the Conversation: Ashley Lynn Priore on Strategy, Leadership, and Being “The Only One”
Last fall, Bold Journey sat down with Queenside Ventures Founder and CEO Ashley Lynn Priore to discuss leadership, strategy, and what it means to succeed when you’re the only one in the room.
Months later, the themes from that conversation feel more relevant than ever.
As Queenside continues expanding its work across sports, leadership development, and youth impact, Ashley’s insights from the interview have proven not only timeless but predictive. The ideas she shared then are the same ones shaping initiatives, partnerships, and programs today.
On Being “The Only One”
From her earliest chess tournaments, Ashley was often the only girl in the room. That experience became formative, shaping how she approaches leadership and space-making. “When you grow up constantly being ‘the only one,’ you learn early how to command space that wasn’t built for you - how to lead, how to listen, and how to stand firm in your worth.”
Rather than waiting for permission, she built her own table. That mindset led to the founding of Queens Gambit, created to ensure more young people - especially girls - could see themselves reflected in leadership through chess.
Building Strategy as a Life Skill
Ashley shared that chess has always been more than a game to her. It is a training ground for thinking ahead, adapting quickly, and making decisions under pressure.
That philosophy now powers both:
Queens Gambit, which uses chess to develop youth leadership nationwide
Queenside Ventures, which helps organizations and leaders apply strategic thinking to real-world decision making
Today, those worlds are increasingly intersecting, as athletes, executives, and institutions turn to chess-based frameworks to sharpen performance, communication, and long-range planning.
The Three Traits That Shape Strong Leaders
In the interview, Ashley named three qualities that have guided her journey:
Mentorship: Learning directly from others’ experiences creates a faster path to clarity and growth.
Curiosity: Asking “why” and “what if” keeps leaders adaptable and innovative.
Self-Strategy: Understanding your motivations and values ensures that every move is intentional.
Together, these form what she often calls an internal game plan - the foundation behind confident decision-making.
The Foundation Behind the Mission
Ashley credits her parents with instilling the mindset that shaped her work today: the freedom to explore, experiment, and stay curious. That encouragement allowed her to pursue multiple interests - chess, writing, leadership, and civic engagement - without feeling confined to a single path.
That philosophy continues to guide her work and the mission behind Queenside:
Learn the game. Change the rules. Make your move.
Why This Conversation Still Matters
While the interview was originally published in October, its message is increasingly relevant in today’s fast-moving world. Strategic thinking, adaptability, and self-awareness are no longer optional skills. They are leadership essentials.
This feature captures an idea at the heart of everything Queenside builds:
Strategy isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill you train.
