NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After helping Vanderbilt’s women’s soccer team make history, Ashley Horsley will serve as the executive director of strategy and operations for the athletics department. Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director Candice Storey Lee announced the appointment, which utilizes Horsley’s executive experience in business and professional sports as Vanderbilt forges ahead in a new era of college sports.
Horsley previously served as soccer’s director of operations, helping head coach Darren Ambrose and the Commodores reach the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
“Execution is essential in any championship environment, and Ashley Horsley’s experience in successfully leading organizations and collaborating with others is invaluable as we chart our course forward,” Lee said. “As she demonstrated from day one during soccer’s remarkable season, Ashley balances an exceptional command of systems and structures with a human touch and commitment fitting of who we are and aspire to be.”
With CEO, COO, and President-level experience across multiple industries, Horsley is already working with the leadership team to drive strategic initiatives and enhance operational efficiency as Vanderbilt embraces changes across the college sports landscape.
“I’m excited to continue my Vanderbilt journey and grateful to Vice Chancellor Lee for this opportunity,” Horsley said. “Vanderbilt’s collaborative culture is a difference maker at such a critical and energizing moment for college athletics. As we adapt and thrive, I look forward to helping so many talented people work together to put our student-athletes in position to succeed now and throughout their lives.”
A Nashville native, Horsley returned to her hometown after two years as the executive vice president of business operations for Sacramento Republic FC, a professional soccer team that competes in the USL Championship. In Sacramento, she managed budgets, recruited, trained and oversaw support staff, and helped align departmental processes and systems to optimize resource utilization for a team that ranked among USL attendance leaders.
Previously, Horsley was the president of Key Data Dashboard in Tennessee, where she formulated and communicated strategic directions to stakeholders, and helped drive growth and profitability while overseeing all financial performance reports.
Horsley and her husband Jordan have five kids and reside in Nolensville, Tennessee.
