Queenside Ventures Featured in Forbes: Learning Chess Is Key To Advancing Your Career
We’re elated to share that Forbes has spotlighted Queenside Ventures and our visionary founder, Ashley Lynn Priore, in an article titled "Learning This Game Is Key To Advancing Your Career – Even NFL Players Agree." This feature highlights how our groundbreaking initiatives are leveraging chess to close gender gaps in leadership, inspire confidence, and empower individuals across industries.
The Parallels Between Chess and Leadership
Forbes draws a striking comparison: just 1% of the top 100 chess players globally are women, mirroring the mere 6% of women occupying CEO roles worldwide. Recognizing this, Ashley has made it her mission to bridge these gaps through chess—a game that sharpens strategic thinking and decision-making, skills critical to leadership success.
Ashley’s journey began at age four, competing in a predominantly male-dominated chess world. By 14, she launched Queens Gambit, a nonprofit inspiring young women and girls to embrace chess as a tool for empowerment. Now, through Queenside Ventures, Ashley brings chess-based strategies to organizations, transforming how leaders think, act, and achieve.
Expanding the Reach of Chess
One of Ashley’s most ambitious projects, Project D4, aims to teach one million women chess. Through this initiative, Queenside Ventures equips women with tools to take calculated risks, build resilience, and advance their careers.
But the ripple effect doesn’t stop there. Ashley’s work with the National Football League has brought chess into locker rooms as a unique form of mental training. NFL teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers have embraced chess to enhance adaptability, risk assessment, and quick decision-making on the field. Fun fact: Every team Ashley collaborated with last season made the NFL playoffs!
Five Lessons of Chess That Drive Success
The article spotlights Ashley’s framework for integrating chess into leadership development. Whether you’re an NFL rookie or an aspiring executive, these five lessons can transform your approach to challenges:
Adaptability: Be ready to pivot when plans change.
Decision-Making: Assess options thoroughly to make impactful choices.
Patience and Persistence: Success often lies in waiting for the right moment.
Strategy and Tactics: Balance long-term goals with short-term execution.
Planning Ahead: Anticipate and capitalize on opportunities.
Chess is More Than a Game
Ashley’s work proves that chess transcends the 64 squares of the board. It’s a platform for empowerment, fostering confidence and leadership. Whether teaching girls to embrace risks, guiding NFL players to refine their mental game, or coaching executives to think expansively, Ashley is reshaping the narrative of what chess—and leadership—can achieve.
Join the Movement
At Queenside Ventures, we believe in unlocking possibilities with every move, piece, and decision. Ready to harness the power of chess for your personal or organizational growth? Contact us at Queenside Ventures and explore how we can empower you to think beyond the board.
Thank you to Forbes and Jane Hanson for recognizing our efforts and sharing our story. Let’s continue this tactical revolution together!
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