Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Calderon.
Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a first-generation Latina born in Los Angeles to parents from El Salvador, but Northwest Arkansas is home and where I was raised. Growing up, I watched my parents work incredibly hard to build a better life for our family, and their sacrifices shaped the way I view education, leadership, and service. From an early age, I knew I wanted to attend college, not only to create opportunities for myself, but also to honor the sacrifices my parents made to give our family a better future.
I remember wondering how I was going to make my dream of attending college a reality. One day, I noticed several students walking around with thick packets in their hands, so I grabbed one. That packet changed my life. It contained a list of local scholarships, and I was excited. I finally knew how I was going to make my dream come true. I started applying, writing essays, and chasing every opportunity I could find. Those scholarships helped make my education possible and ultimately led me to become the first person in my family to graduate from college, earning a degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of Arkansas.
My career led me through leadership roles at Amazon and Walmart, where I have had the opportunity to lead large-scale teams, transformation initiatives, and global programs. Along the way, I continued my education in Global Business and a Master of Business Administration while continuing to pursue opportunities that challenged me to grow.
While my own journey opened many doors, one of the biggest inspirations behind Infinite HERizon came from watching my mother pursue one of her lifelong dreams. As I watched my mom courageously pursue her college dream, I realized how difficult it can be to know where to start, who to ask, or what resources are available.
At the same time, I was thinking about my three younger brothers and the path they would eventually navigate as young Latino men. As the oldest sibling, I felt a responsibility to help expand what they believed was possible for themselves. I wanted them to grow up knowing that all of their dreams could become a reality, that they could earn degrees, lead organizations, build meaningful careers, and create opportunities for others while staying connected to their culture and community.
Watching my mother pursue new dreams and my brothers begin their own journeys reinforced my belief that dreams become more achievable when people have access to encouragement, mentorship, and a community that helps them navigate the path ahead.
That realization stayed with me. I often found myself wishing there was one place people could turn to for inspiration, practical resources, mentorship, and connection. A place that could help them identify their next step and move closer to the life they envisioned for themselves.
That vision became Infinite HERizon.
What started as a passion project has grown into a platform dedicated to empowering women, Latinos, and other underrepresented communities through mentorship, career development, scholarship initiatives, leadership conversations, podcasts, and community-building events. Our mission is simple: to help people see that their dreams are possible and provide the support, resources, and community to help them take the next step toward them.
Today, I serve as a Director of Global Operations while leading Infinite HERizon alongside a growing community of supporters and partners. When I reflect on my journey, I know that none of it would have been possible without God’s grace and guidance. My faith has been the foundation that carried me through challenges, opened unexpected doors, and reminded me to keep moving forward even when I could not see the full path ahead.
I also often reflect on how different my life would look if people had not taken the time to mentor me, encourage me, and invest in my potential. Early in my journey, I had little to offer beyond a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a dream. Yet people still believed in me, opened doors for me, shared their knowledge, and helped me see possibilities I could not yet see for myself.
Infinite HERizon was built on the belief that God works through people, and that one conversation, one mentor, or one opportunity can change the trajectory of a person’s life, just as it changed mine.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape who I am today.
One of the biggest challenges was navigating opportunities without a clear roadmap. As a first-generation Latina and the oldest sibling, there were many moments when I simply did not know what I did not know. Whether it was applying for scholarships, navigating college, pursuing graduate education, or building a corporate career, I often found myself learning through trial and error. That experience taught me the importance of seeking mentors, asking questions, and being willing to learn from others.
Another challenge was learning to navigate success at a young age. There were many moments throughout my career when I found myself as the youngest person in the room, and at times that was intimidating. Early on, I questioned whether I truly belonged. Through the guidance of mentors and leaders who believed in me, I learned to focus less on my age and more on showing up prepared, working hard, and continuing to learn. Over time, I realized that growth comes from being willing to step into rooms that challenge you.
As my career progressed, another challenge was learning how to balance ambition with sustainability. Between a demanding career, family, friendships, community involvement, and building Infinite HERizon, there have been seasons where I felt like I was falling short in one area while trying to grow in another. I care deeply about being present for the people I love and showing up fully in the opportunities I have been given. While balance is something I am still learning, I often remind myself what a blessing it is to be in pursuit of the very things I once prayed for.
One lesson that has become increasingly important to me is that success cannot stop with us. As we grow, earn opportunities, and gain access to rooms we once dreamed of entering, I believe we also have a responsibility to build ladders for others to climb. The mentors who invested in me changed the trajectory of my life, and I never want my journey to be only about what I achieve personally. True success is creating opportunities for others, sharing knowledge, opening doors, and helping people see possibilities they may not yet see for themselves.
Looking back, I would not change the challenges because they strengthened my faith, taught me resilience, and reminded me that some of life’s greatest blessings are found in the journey itself.
We’ve been impressed with Infinite HERizon, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Infinite HERizon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and connecting women, Latinos, and other underrepresented communities. We believe that when people have access to mentorship, resources, and meaningful relationships, they are better equipped to pursue their goals and reach their full potential.
Our work includes mentorship, free resume reviews, leadership conversations, podcasts, networking opportunities, career development resources, community events, and developing scholarship initiatives. We aim to help people navigate educational, personal, and professional growth while building a strong community of support.
What sets Infinite HERizon apart is our commitment to creating practical impact. We are not focused solely on inspiration; we are focused on helping people take action. Whether that means connecting someone with a mentor, providing career guidance, sharing opportunities, or creating spaces for meaningful conversations, our goal is to help people move from possibility to progress.
What I am most proud of is the community that has formed around the mission. The most rewarding moments are seeing people support one another, build confidence, pursue new opportunities, and realize they are capable of more than they originally believed. Watching people step outside their comfort zones, pursue their dreams, and build meaningful relationships along the way has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
At its core, Infinite HERizon is about helping people dream bigger, grow confidently, and realize they do not have to navigate their journey alone.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If I had to choose one quality that has contributed most to my success, it would be a willingness to learn.
Throughout my life and career, I have found myself in situations where I did not have all the answers. As a first-generation college student, a young leader, and someone often stepping into unfamiliar opportunities, I quickly realized that growth requires humility, curiosity, and the willingness to ask questions.
I have never been afraid to seek advice, learn from mentors, or admit when there is something I do not know. Some of the most valuable lessons in my life have come from listening to others, remaining teachable, and staying open to new perspectives.
That mindset has helped me navigate challenges, build meaningful relationships, and continue growing both personally and professionally. It has also reinforced my belief that success is not about having all the answers; it is about being willing to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.
At the end of the day, I believe a teachable spirit can open doors that talent alone cannot.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.infiniteherizon.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infiniteherizon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infiniteherizon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinite-herizon/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfiniteHERizon
- Other: https://www.infiniteherizon.com/podcast
