Impactful Women of the 918: Ashley Townsend

Ashley Townsend has spent the past 10 years with JPMorganChase, where she serves as vice president and community manager. She builds partnerships with nonprofits, schools, small businesses and community leaders across the Tulsa region to expand access to financial education and economic opportunity.

For Townsend, the work is about helping people see new possibilities for themselves and their families. A proud mom, she says becoming a parent has made her passion for building stronger communities and brighter futures even more meaningful.

What she enjoys most about her work is “helping people realize what is possible.”

“When families have the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions, they create opportunities not only for themselves but for future generations,” Townsend says. “That is how lasting wealth and lasting impact begin.”

Giving back is also an important part of Townsend’s life. She serves on the Tulsa Community College Foundation board, Iron Gate board of directors and Tulsa Regional Chamber advisory council and is board chair of Northside Neighbors. Through both her career and community involvement, she hopes to create opportunities for others to succeed.

“Success is not defined only by the title you earn,” Townsend says. “It is defined by the lives you touch and the opportunities you create for others.”

Q&A with Ashley Townsend

Please share a little background about yourself and your current role. How long have you been in your current position? What other things have you done leading up to your current role?

Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of helping empower residents and small business owners across the Tulsa region through financial education and partnership.   

I currently serve as  Community Manager for JPMorganChase, where I have proudly worked for the past 10 years. In my role, I support communities across the Tulsa region by building meaningful partnerships with nonprofits, schools, small businesses, and community leaders to help expand access to financial education and economic opportunity. Every day, I have the privilege of working alongside people, businesses and organizations to support the financial wellness and opportunity of Tulsa. Outside of work, I am a proud mom, and becoming a parent has made my passion for building stronger communities and brighter futures even more meaningful. 

How does your work impact the community?

What I love most about my work is helping people realize what is possible. Whether it is guiding someone toward homeownership, supporting a small business owner or connecting families with resources that can improve their financial future, I believe financial knowledge has the power to change lives and strengthen entire communities. Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of helping residents and small business owners across the Tulsa region build a stronger financial future. 

One of my favorite sayings is, “We may not always be able to pass down generational wealth, but we can pass down generational knowledge.” When families have the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions, they create opportunities not only for themselves but for future generations. That is how lasting wealth and lasting impact begin. 

What other activities or volunteer work do you do, and why is it important to you?

Giving back has always been an important part of my life. I currently serve on the Tulsa Community College Foundation Board, the Iron Gate Board of Directors and the Tulsa Regional Chamber Advisory Council. This year, I was honored to join the Northside Neighbors Board, where I serve as Board Chair. Over the years, I have also served on numerous nonprofit committees and recently completed four years of service on the Green Country Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. 

I believe lasting change happens when people come together to serve, collaborate and invest in one another. I am grateful to contribute alongside so many passionate leaders who are committed to making Tulsa a stronger community for everyone. 

What advice would you give a young person beginning their career?

Stay curious, build genuine relationships and always lead with service. Success is not defined only by the title you earn, but by the lives you touch and the opportunities you create for others. When you lead with purpose and invest in people, your impact extends far beyond your career. It becomes part of the legacy you leave in your community.