Courtney Ashley, Customer Service Representative II at RYAM’s Jesup MRC, has been selected for Leadership Georgia’s Class of 2027—an opportunity to expand her leadership skills and build on her commitment to serving others.
Leadership Georgia brings together emerging leaders from across the state to build connections and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping Georgia’s future. For Courtney, the experience aligns with the curiosity and collaborative spirit she brings to her work and community.
At RYAM, she enjoys working across departments, solving problems and understanding how different functions contribute to the business. She values colleagues who share their knowledge and help her see those connections.
Her approach to leadership centers on helping others succeed.
“The leaders who have made the biggest difference in my life weren’t the loudest people in the room,” she shares. “They were the ones who made others feel seen, believed in people before they believed in themselves, and quietly opened doors for others to walk through.”
That commitment extends beyond RYAM. As Associate Director of Wayne Community Coalition, Inc., Courtney helps connect individuals and families in her rural community with essential resources. The nonprofit supports food assistance, youth literacy, women’s programs and temporary housing for women and children experiencing homelessness.
Her selection also reflects her perseverance. After applying the previous year without being selected, Courtney remained committed to the opportunity and applied again.
“When I learned I’d been selected for the Class of 2027, it meant far more because of that first ‘no,’” she says. “It reminded me that setbacks aren’t the end of the story; often they’re the preparation.”
Through Leadership Georgia, Courtney hopes to gain new perspectives on economic development, innovation and community challenges—and put that learning to work.
“I hope to bring those perspectives back to RYAM through stronger cross-functional collaboration, fresh ideas, and a deeper understanding of how individual contributions connect to broader organizational goals,” she says.
Congratulations, Courtney, on this well-deserved achievement!
