Ashley Brundage: Empowering Differences Author and Transgender Activist

In this episode of OutBüro Voices featuring LGBTQ professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders from around the world, host Dennis Velco chats with Ashley Brundage, author, transgender activist, and VP of Diversity and Inclusion for a national financial institution.

Ashely's journey is remarkable and inspiring. When faced with homelessness and a family of four counting on her she was pretransition trying to find a job. Frustrated with seeking employment while presenting as male not being true to herself, one day she said enough. From that point forward with her family's support she started the job search for a new career being authentically Ashley. During that period she realized the additional struggles of seeking a job as a transgender person but leaned into it educating the potential employers on how she could be a bridge to the LGTBQ market.

After landing a part-time bank teller position she leveraged transgender conferences to prospect customers. She quickly became one of the top producing banking agents in the entire company. We chat about the burden of being an out transgender person working in the public sphere and how to leverage the 10 steps to empowering difference to grow professionally. Additionally how she created relationships with peers and mentors within the company to coach her. Ashley understands mentorship well, she says, "mentorship is a two-way street. Both should be getting something out of it". I couldn't agree more.

In Ashely's new book, Empowering Differences, she has outlined her 10 steps to empowering differences starting with empowering yourself with confidence and knowledge. Further, she states that the book is well suited for persons in a sales role. After all, sales are about relationships.

Connect with Ashley find her on OutBüro here. https://outburo.com/profile/ashleytbrundage/

Join me and Ashley on OutBüro, the LGBTQ professional and entrepreneur online community network for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, allies and our employers who support LGBTQ welcoming workplace equality focused benefits, policies, and business practices. https://www.OutBuro.com

Would you like to be featured like this? Contact the host Dennis Velco. https://outburo.com/profile/dennisvelco/