Time Out: Quick Q&A With Sports Tech Leaders - Ashley M. Williams

Ashley M. Williams, Founder & CEO at RIZZARR

About Ashley: Ashley M. Williams is an entrepreneur, global speaker, author, and host. Ashley loves using content to guide people to their *purpose*. Ashley is the founder and CEO of RIZZARR, a member of WiST Partner Comcast Sports Tech accelerator program’s 2023 cohort. RIZZARR is a content marketplace that connects brands seeking purpose-driven digital media with vetted, talented creators worldwide. RIZZARR helps brands and creators evolve their content into authentic, purpose-driven stories through data science. In addition to overseeing RIZZARR, Ashley moderates or speaks at gatherings around the world for entities such as the U.S. Department of State. She also hosts a video and podcast series called “The Ripple Effect of You”.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Ashley was an award-winning journalist. Most recently, she was a Multimedia Journalist and Host for USA TODAY Network’s Nation Now. She also helped to oversee the network's video series, Inspiration Nation. Prior to working at USA TODAY, Ashley worked at WBAL Radio as a Multimedia Reporter and Web Producer. Before this, Ashley was in the News Associates Program at NBC News. There, she worked for the Today Show, the Grio, and MSNBC’s Politics Nation with Al Sharpton. Ashley graduated with honors from the University of Southern California, earning a B.A. in broadcast and digital journalism, as well as minors in international relations and Spanish.

1. What’s your favorite part of your job?

Being able to bring light into the world through the purpose-driven content!

2. What’s your favorite thing about being on the WiST board?

I love the impact that WiST is making and how it is truly the epitome of a ripple effect! The amount of lives that are shaped by the organization on a daily basis is just incredible and inspiring!

3. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what do you think it would be? 

Probably a buttery, hummingbird, or a sea otter

4. If you could be a professional athlete in any sport, what would it be?

Rock climbing or race car driver

5. What is your favorite sports tech wearable, for your own personal use? OURA, Whoop, Garmin, Apple Watch, etc

Apple Watch of course :)

6. Which talent would you most like to have? 

To be able to see into the future

7. What is your favorite live sports memory? 

Going to a Nascar game in Talladega and just seeing all of the love and energy from Nascarfans!! All of the energy from the fans and even the drivers as they kept racing was just EPIC! Something I will never forget!

8. What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

My greatest achievement has been deciding to do the inner work to positively change my life! This has been a three-year spiritual journey for me of overcoming traumas from my past and deciding to change/uplevel my life to step into I was always called to be. It was very hard at times but I am so proud of the inner work that I have done and that I love who I am! I especially think doing this inner work while building my company was the cherry on top to this.

9. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? 

Oh my gosh that's amazing! or That's so good! LOL

10. What is your most treasured possession? 

I think the photos of me as a little girl with my family are my most treasured possessions.

11. Where would you like to live? 

I love living in Michigan and hope to also have a home in Napa, California/circa that area one day

12. Who are your heroes in real life? 

Myself

13. If you could wear only one jersey for the rest of your life, what jersey would you wear? 

Probably my jersey from high school - it was a senior jersey that you get and on the back mine said "Smiley"

14. What are your go-to game/match foods and beverages, in-stadium and at home? 

Chicken fingers and fries and anything milk chocolate and for a drink, probably Blue Moon beer :)

15. What motto are you known for? 

Always stay positive because there's a reason for everything.

Also, you get back what you give out.

16. What is your favorite sports tech partnership or sports tech integration? 

RIZZARR's first sports partnership with a Comcast NBC division.