First Person: The Residency
A year-long residency for women leaders ready to stop living by the script and start living in the first person.
February 2027 to January 2028 · 10 women · Richmond, Virginia, and online
Founding rate for the first four women accepted, through December 15.
You've done everything right.
You climbed the ladder. You became the one people count on: reliable, capable, the person who holds it all together.
And somewhere along the way, you realized you built your success on someone else's script:
Be the Best. Get it perfect. Don’t ask for much. Put everyone else first, and take care of yourself later… if there's time.
Now you're approaching the halfway point of your career – and your life – and you're tired in a way a vacation doesn't fix. You know the next chapter has to look different. You just haven't had the space, the support, or the permission to figure out what that looks like.
That's what this year is for.
What changes in a year
By January 2028, you'll:
Stop overfunctioning, overworking, and people-pleasing, and set boundaries that hold
Know what you want for your work and your life, and say it out loud
Use your voice in the rooms that matter, to advocate for yourself and the change you want to see in the world
Get comfortable with risk and ambiguity, and bet on yourself and your dreams
Build a different way of living and working – something that’s real, fulfilling and aligned with what actually works for you
Feel less alone, because you've spent a year alongside women who are learning and growing alongside you.
The women who choose this work will make real moves.
Over 12 months, you’ll face the hard conversations and tough decisions. You’ll redraw boundaries that support your own thriving and self-care. You’ll dream – and go after – the big vision you’re holding for yourself and your future. And you’ll role model for others (your kids, your friends, your partner, and more) that you can choose to live in alignment with your authentic self.
You are the main character in your story – and it’s time to write it that way.
What a residency is
A residency is a dedicated stretch of time to do your most important work, with support around you. First Person is a residency for your life and career.
It isn't a course, and it isn't a networking group. It's a small, selective circle of women and a guide, committed to a year of honest reflection, practical change, and collective thriving.
What's included:
Monthly group sessions.
One live session a month with all of us. Together we’ll learn, share, celebrate wins, troubleshoot challenges, and deepen friendships. Our cohort is limited to 10 women to ensure everyone has time to share in our monthly calls. [2nd Thursday of every month, from 6-8pm ET on Zoom, starting February 11th]
Monthly 1:1 coaching with Ashley.
A private, 60-minute session every month to work on your own decisions, goals, and next steps.
Two all-inclusive retreats in Richmond, VA.
Lodging, beautiful meals, time outdoors, movement, restoration practices, group coaching conversations, and more, all included. You cover only your travel. April 23-25, 2027 and October 22-24, 2027
Weekly reflection prompts and discussion
Deepen your self-understanding, share learnings and wins, and support each other throughout the year.
A proven framework.
The year follows Ashley's Discover, Define, Imagine, Iterate approach to designing a life and career on your own terms. Each month, Ashley will introduce a theme, framework, or method that will serve as a jumping off point for our learning and discussions.
Gifts, surprises, and unexpected delights.
Because all main characters deserve to have some fun!
Is this for you?
This is for you if…
You're a senior or executive woman leader in mid-career or mid-life
You've burned out, or come close, and know the next chapter of your life needs to look and feel different
You love learning and are ready to explore new ways of showing up, working, and living
You want to be in community and develop lasting friendships with other women – not figure it out alone
You're ready to take action and make intentional changes that honor your values, goals, and dreams.
This isn’t for you if…
You want a quick fix or a step-by-step course
You aren't ready to reflect or share honestly in a small group
You don’t have enough space in your current schedule to participate regularly
Meet your guide
I'm Ashley Jablow – expert coach, innovation facilitator, speaker, and artist. For nearly a decade, I've helped people and teams design careers and lives of meaning, fulfillment, and authenticity, working with organizations including the Gates Foundation, YPO, and Georgetown's Beeck Center.
My own career and life design journey began after a layoff in 2017. As a new mom and the family breadwinner, I knew in an instant that I needed to rebuild my career on my own terms. It’s taken time, intentionality and reflection, brave experimentation and, importantly, community – but today I can say that I have written my story in First Person.
Your life is yours to live; no one else’s. And yet, how often do you put your needs, wishes, and goals last in line? How often do you over-give to others, rather than making sure your cup is filled first?
[I ask these questions with gentleness and love, because I know my own answers, too!]
This is why being in community with other women – women who are committed to writing themselves into their story, to becoming the main characters of their lives – matters so much.
This is a brave path you’re considering, one that other people in your life may not understand fully. But you deserve this, and you don’t have to go it alone.
I created First Person because I believe each of us has been put on Earth to lead, and live, in our own authentic way.
You have goals and dreams.
You have people to guide.
You have meaningful impact to create.
And you simply cannot do any of this if you don’t put yourself first.
It’s time to write the next chapter of your life’s story – in First Person.
I can’t wait for you to join me.
WHAT WOMEN SAY
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“Ashley is a deep listener and trusted partner to take on the big questions of life. Together, we're exploring new ideas, finding common cause for joy, and questioning the systems that shape our sense of self.” - Alison, senior philanthropy leader
Laurie Payton
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“The experience was top-notch and professional from beginning to end. I'm grateful for you and this program! It connected me on my journey to other women on their journeys and that's a big, beautiful gift.” - Cari, human-centered design leader and entrepreneur
Jamie Kokot
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“Learning that I am not alone. I am not alone in my feelings of being disconnected from joy or feeling like I lost my purpose. Truly having that sink in by hearing similar thoughts from different women has been a huge relief for me [and helped me know] that I am not adrift all by myself…this is normal and a part of life.” - Michelle, operations and program manager
Lindsey Beumer
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“Ashley really gets to really know us which makes the experience more focused and authentic. Even if you are not looking for a career change, this is about designing your Future You from inside and out.” - Gabby, academic center executive director
Keith Finley
Your investment
$12,000, or a monthly payment plan of $1,000 for 12 months.
Founding rate: $9,500. Available to the first four women accepted, through December 15.
Pay in full and receive a VIP in-person session with Ashley. Arrive early to one of our in-person retreats and enjoy private coaching to set your intentions for the weekend, and go deep on your unique questions and ideas.
Enrollment closes February 1, 2027, or when all 10 spots are filled.
How to join
Apply. The application takes 10 to 15 minutes. There are no wrong answers.
Hear back within 48 hours. Ashley reads every application personally.
Have a conversation. If it looks like a fit, you'll book a 45-minute call to make sure this is the right next step for both of you.
Receive your invitation. If you're accepted, you'll get your enrollment link. Founding rates are held for 72 hours after acceptance.
Enroll and celebrate the commitment you’re making to yourself and the next chapter of your career and life! Meet the other participants as they enroll, receive welcome gifts, and block your calendar for our first call on February 11, 2027!
Questions
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One group session (2 hours) and one 1:1 session (60 minutes) each month, plus two in-person weekend retreats.
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This part is up to you. You’ll receive regular reflection prompts and conversation starters from Ashley, which you can choose to explore with other members using our private community messaging app. There is no required homework, and we’re not giving out grades or gold stars! You get to choose to show up in ways that feel good to you and that support your goals for the next year.
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No. All of our monthly conversations (group and 1:1) are online. You'll travel to Richmond for the two retreats, and everything once you arrive is included.
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That’s ok! All of our calls will be recorded and shared with our group so you can catch up on what you miss, or listen again for ongoing inspiration.
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The residency combines monthly 1:1 coaching with a small group and two retreats. Private 1:1 coaching ($24,000 a year) adds twice-monthly sessions, unlimited access between calls, and a VIP weekend retreat designed entirely around you. Most women find the residency gives them what they need, along with a community, but if you’re curious about working privately with Ashley – let’s talk!
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Yes. You can pay monthly. The VIP coaching session before a retreat is for women who pay in full.
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No. This experience asks you to commit to a year of your own transformation. It also asks Ashley to commit to a year of showing up as your guide, teacher and mentor. Given this, and given that there are limited spots available, all sales are final.
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Yes. The application and conversation are how we figure that out together. There's no obligation.
You've spent years living by a script you didn't write.
This is the year you write your own.
Founding rate ends December 15 or when four women are accepted. Enrollment closes February 1, 2027.
Making big dreams or goals happens involves risk. But not all risks are created equal.