Ashley Sandy Haefele
35 | Partner, LONDONmiddlebury
Residence: Chittenden
Career highlight you are most proud of:
Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro with our client Local Moshi and my partner Matt stands out as a personal and professional triumph. Equally rewarding was successfully balancing my first year of motherhood with running our business, made possible by our incredible support network. Winning the Citizen's Bank $15,000 small business recovery award during the pandemic allowed us to support others while staying afloat ourselves. Perhaps most exciting was securing our first public 
RFP, proving we could compete with larger firms and igniting our team's ambition for more public sector work. Each of these milestones represents not just personal growth, but our company's resilience and expanding impact.
Community Involvement:
It has been a true privilege to contribute to impactful organizations both locally and internationally. For nine years, serving on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Vermont, including roles on the executive committee, has provided invaluable experiences in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, volunteering as a judge for the Future Business Leaders of America in Vermont has offered opportunities to support student leadership development in business. I've also found great satisfaction in my role as a marketing instructor for Mercy Connections' Inclusive Entrepreneurship Small Business Program, helping to empower local entrepreneurs.
Equally fulfilling has been the ongoing work with The Maa Trust in Kenya's Maasai Mara, including two enriching visits to Kenya and ongoing strategic marketing support. This experience has allowed involvement in initiatives balancing wildlife conservation with community development, focusing on education, health, and sustainable livelihoods. These diverse engagements, from local programs to international efforts, have broadened perspectives on community impact and provided opportunities to support growth and integration across various populations and geographical areas.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont?
Vermont isn't just where I live and work — it's part of who I am. Growing up here, I absorbed our state's ethos of hard work and rolling up our sleeves to get things done. Even after living and working in other parts of the world, I've always been drawn back to our tight-knit communities, stunning landscapes, and the satisfaction of being among fellow Vermonters who aren't afraid to put in the work. Here, I can embrace our down-to-earth, hands-on approach to life while still engaging with global opportunities – it's the best of both worlds, right in our own backyard.
Favorite part of your job:
My favorite part of the job is working with a team and clients who truly embrace our collaborative culture of thinking and doing. I love how we seamlessly blend strategic thinking with hands-on execution, allowing us to develop innovative marketing campaigns and bring them to life with precision and creativity. This approach not only drives better results but also fosters a dynamic work environment where everyone contributes both intellectually and practically to every project.
What is the best career advice you have received?
The best career advice I've received is to avoid getting too comfortable being comfortable. This wisdom has pushed me to continually seek new challenges, embrace change, and step outside my comfort zone in business – whether it's pursuing innovative strategies, taking on unfamiliar projects, or expanding into new markets – which has been crucial for personal growth and keeping our company competitive in an ever-evolving industry.
Favorite Vermont escape:
As a proud Vermonter, I find my favorite escapes in our treasured state parks. These local gems aren't just my backyard — they're the heart of our Green Mountain heritage, offering endless adventures and peaceful retreats that remind me why I call this beautiful state home.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support:
If I had unlimited access to funds, I would prioritize supporting public libraries due to their immense value as community resources. Libraries serve as critical institutions that provide equitable access to information, education, and technology for all members of society, playing a particularly vital role in supporting vulnerable populations.
Libraries are not merely amenities but necessities in our communities. They foster lifelong learning, bridge the digital divide, and provide safe spaces for community engagement. By investing in libraries, we invest in the intellectual and economic growth of our society as a whole. Libraries adapt to meet evolving community needs, offering programs ranging from early childhood literacy to job skills training. In an era of increasing inequality, libraries stand as beacons of equal opportunity and social mobility.