Meet the region's 35 Under 35 Awards Honorees for the 2022 program produced by SRQ Magazine to recognize young professionals who are taking a leadership position at their company and in the community. Learn more about Ashley Waite, Director of Museum Experience at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature!

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How and when did you know you wanted to be a leader in your field?

I’ve always found myself assuming leadership roles, something I attribute to 13 years of basketball. But knowing that I wanted to be a leader in the museum field only cemented itself a few years ago. I joined an internal team that was creating exhibitions, and I fell in love with that process. Turning an idea into an experience that people enjoy is incredibly fulfilling. It also comes with immense responsibility. Museums are trusted institutions. The stories we choose to tell, and how we tell them, carry a lot of weight. I feel so fortunate to share my love of science with our community in fun and engaging ways. I am also honored to be in a position where I can elevate other women in STEM—there still aren’t enough of us. I currently have a team of four, myself, and three brilliant, passionate women whom I feel so lucky to work with. Honestly, the best part of my job is work ing with folks who are just as weird and nerdy as I am. I feel like I finally found my people.

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