Leading, learning and parenting

Business school is known for its intensity – late nights going over case studies, back-to-back group projects and constant pressure to perform.

But for Ashley Sperry (MBA ’25) the rigors of a full-time MBA program were nothing new – even as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Army and a single mother of two young daughters.

Sperry launched her military career as a soldier in the Ohio Army National Guard and later commissioned as a lieutenant through Ohio University’s ROTC program. After graduating, she joined the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii as a CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) dismounted reconnaissance platoon leader.

In that role, she led a specialized team that identified and assessed hazardous threats. She also advised the brigade on protecting soldiers and equipment from CBRN dangers, shaping safety protocols and readiness plans for missions, and training exercises. She later served as a company executive officer, where she managed logistics, maintenance and personnel readiness for over 100 soldiers.

After her time in Hawaii, she served in Texas and Missouri in a variety of roles, including aide-de-camp, company commander and instructor for the Captains Career Course. She supported senior leaders, commanded a specialized unit, and trained newly promoted officers for company command and brigade-level staff responsibilities.

During this time, she also earned a MS in defense and strategic studies from Missouri State University.

“I did my first master’s degree while serving full-time in the military as a company commander, and I’d just had my second baby” says Sperry. “I didn’t get the full experience of being a grad student because I was just trying to survive and manage between working full time, being a mom and going to school.”

Earning her second master’s degree was a different story. After 14 years in the Army, she had switched to a functional area in acquisition. She was selected for the elite Advanced Civil School Program, which supports graduate education, and she selected UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Full-Time MBA Program.

“It was an awesome opportunity for me,” she says. “I was able to immerse myself in learning and just focus on school and my family.”

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s leadership development focus, values and strong veterans community were draws for her.

“UNC Kenan-Flagler understands military personnel’s challenges in transitioning to a civilian institution and provides excellent support,” Sperry says. “The core value of integrity also resonated with me. During my interview, I felt a strong sense of community that made me feel I would belong.”

And she did belong: “The School’s robust network of military-affiliated students and dedicated support systems provided a sense of camaraderie and shared experience that made balancing military service and business school both possible and incredibly rewarding.”

Her parents living in North Carolina also helped. After 12 years of marriage, she had gone through a challenging divorce. “Now, it’s just my daughters and me,” she says. “While I was in school, we lived on a mini farm in Siler City with goats, chickens, dogs and turtles. My parents live nearby in Salisbury and provided a tremendous support system.”

Managing operations and people

Sperry earned concentrations in Operations Management and Managing People and Organizations. Creating team charters, process plans and understanding stakeholder management will be useful in her military acquisitions work and civilian roles she might pursue.

A standout experience was the Healthcare Global Immersion Elective (GIE) in Japan and Thailand. It expanded her global business perspective and deepened her appreciation for community engagement in diverse cultural contexts.

“It was life changing to see the healthcare systems in Japan and Thailand, and what universal healthcare means versus what everyone thinks it does,” she says. “You see the struggles and the pros.”

Sperry brought her leadership skills to serve her classmates. They elected her as MBA Student Association vice president, where she led initiatives for career club presidents, career treks and collaborated closely with the MBA Career Services team. As a Curriculum Advisory Board representative, she was the voice for her peers and worked closely with professors and program staff to enhance the student experience.

At graduation, Sperry reflected on the “unparalleled community” she found at UNC Kenan-Flagler and expressed her thanks to “every classmate, professor, mentor, and friend who pushed me, believed in me, and supported me (and my girls) along the way. I leave not just with a degree, but with lifelong lessons, deep friendships and a heart full of gratitude.”

The next mission

Her 2024 summer internship was with the U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, 900th Contracting Battalion, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After graduation, Sperry headed to Huntsville, Alabama, for the Army Acquisition Transition Course before joining the U.S. Army Joint Program Executive Office for CBRN in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as an assistant program manager. She is supporting U.S. Army Special Operations Forces with the far forward biological sequencing equipment.

Sperry encourages others from the military to follow her path to business school.

“Don’t hesitate to take the leap. Many military personnel suffer from imposter syndrome and don’t realize how valuable their skills are,” she says. “We have incredible leadership, time management and resilience skills that translate perfectly to business school and the corporate world. Our experience managing large teams, handling high-stakes missions and working with significant resources makes us uniquely qualified for business challenges.”

MBA mentor and mom

Sperry was a mentor and a role model during her studies.

She mentored UNC Army ROTC cadets as they began their Army careers. “Guiding them through this pivotal transition, I shared my experiences, offered advice and connected them with my network of military professionals to help them navigate their paths,” she told Poets & Quants. “Seeing them grow as leaders and step into their roles with confidence was deeply fulfilling, and I am grateful to have played a role in shaping their journey.”

Sperry is also proud of setting an example for her daughters while in the “incredibly family friendly” MBA program.

“As a single mother, I wanted to show them they can pursue their dreams, embrace challenges and achieve success through hard work, resilience and a strong support system,” she says. “By bringing them along on my educational journey – whether introducing them to my classmates, involving them in School events or letting them see me tackle demanding coursework – I hope I have instilled in them a sense of confidence and possibility for their own futures.”

“These two experiences, mentoring the next generation of Army officers and setting an example for my daughters, are among my most meaningful accomplishments in business school. They reflect my passion for leadership, service and paying it forward to those following in my footsteps.”

Read more about Sperry in Poets & Quants’ 2025 Best & Brightest MBA profile of her.