Meet the Mastermind

Ashley lynn priore

Founder & CEO

Ashley Lynn Priore is an American chess player & coach, entrepreneur, and strategist. She currently serves as the Founder, President, and CEO of Queens Gambit, a national nonprofit using chess as one of the influential tactics in building the next generation of leaders, and as the Founder & CEO of Queenside Ventures, a consulting firm leading a tactical revolution where the chessboard becomes a canvas for expansive thinking, unlocking new possibilities in every piece, move, and decision.

Ashley is a sought-after advisor for building intergenerational leadership teams, and she’s also the visionary behind chess-infused strategic development. Ashley rose to fame as a young chess phenom. Her pioneering work promoting chess as a framework for self-discovery and finding innovative ways to contribute to society has earned her national recognition with prominent features in publications like Elite Daily, Katie Couric Media, Forbes, and Fox Sports.

Ashley began playing competitive chess at the age of four. By the time she was eight, she was already teaching others and quickly realized the inaccessibility of chess. When she was 14, she founded Queens Gambit to ensure youth had access to the powers of chess. Ever since, she has been steadily building relationships with national influencers across media, sports, politics, nonprofits, and corporations.

Beyond her accomplishments in consulting and nonprofit leadership, Ashley has held positions as a Board Director for various organizations. She currently serves as the Board Chair for City of Bridges High School, Secretary for Center for Hearing & Deaf Services, and Director for Life'sWork of Western PA. In 2023, Governor Shapiro appointed Ashley to serve on the historic Governor's Advisory Commission on Next Gen Engagement. She is also the host of queen me!, a podcast connecting people to the minds of influential people who, in their own unique ways, said, "Queen me!" and leave their mark on the world.

Ashley has received numerous awards for her leadership, including Pittsburgh Business Times' 30 under 30. In 2021, Ashley was featured alongside powerhouses Hoda Kotb, Tyra Banks, and Bobbi Brown in The Epic Mentor Guide: Insider Advice for Girls Eyeing the Workforce from 180 Boss Women Who Know. She is an in-demand speaker and currently writing a Children’s Book and autobiography. In 2022, Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh.