5 Questions with Ash Wallington
Earlier this month, Ash Wallington joined the Stanford Technology Ventures Program as our new executive director. Most recently the director of innovation and entrepreneurship at Copenhagen Business School, Ash’s work supporting entrepreneurship in education has spanned no fewer than four continents. As she settles into life on the Farm, we asked Ash to share her perspectives on innovation and entrepreneurship in this moment, and how she sees STVP supporting the field.
What makes Stanford an epicenter for entrepreneurship?
Stanford is an environment unlike any other, and is a constant source of inspiration and fascination to people around the world. The university’s prestigious academics and alumni, together with its positioning in the center of Silicon Valley, have created an unrivaled fusion of pioneering venture creation, groundbreaking research, and societal ambition. That Stanford has integrated so many industry and ecosystem leaders into the academic community – such as through adjunct positions, speakers, mentors, and advisors – truly enriches the offerings and places it firmly at the forefront of entrepreneurship teaching, research, and practice.
Speaking of research and practice, how do you think about the relationship between the two?
To me, practice in the real world – application of learning in the market – is where the rubber hits the road, and research is how we can make sense of it. Research helps us dissect, analyze, identify, understand, connect, and communicate what is happening, then seek to disseminate, improve, or intervene. It’s that intersection where the magic happens!
What’s something about entrepreneurship right now that gives you hope?
I am motivated by what I feel is a renaissance of humanistic approaches to leadership, design, and venture creation which, through emergent research, demonstrates impact in the market. That it is not just ethical to lead or create ventures in this way, but that it can be profitable, impactful, and inspire new business models, technology, and paradigms – this gives me hope!
When faced with the opportunity, I will always consider if I have the capacity to do more to add value to students, stakeholders, and society, and urge others in my teams or working groups to do the same. We have a unique privilege, platform, and opportunity, so we should always consider the ability to do more if it drives value for others.
What is a moment in your career that has shaped how you lead today?
Early on, one of my mentors commented that I was overproducing on certain objectives, and that I could have a greater impact if I harnessed this as the capacity to do more – to take on new, more ambitious goals. This really resonated with me, and has driven a lot of my professional and leadership decisions within higher education. When faced with the opportunity, I will always consider if I have the capacity to do more to add value to students, stakeholders, and society, and urge others in my teams or working groups to do the same. We have a unique privilege, platform, and opportunity, so we should always consider the ability to do more if it drives value for others.
What are you listening to or reading at the moment? Besides Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders, of course!
I am a big listener of podcasts. I listen to Adam Grant’s Rethinking podcast religiously – the most recent was about intergenerational differences at work. I also listen regularly to How I Built This and 99% Invisible, People I (Mostly) Admire, and Stuff the British Stole. I’m currently reading A Different Kind of Power, the memoir of former New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, about her experience of leading a nation with the values of empathy, kindness, and understanding at the core, and Creativity Rules by our dear colleague Tina Seelig.
