Ashley Doyle

Lecturer

After graduating from Saint Mary's University, I moved to Toronto and obtained my CPA, CA designation while working at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). I always knew that I wanted to move back to Atlantic Canada, and I was thrilled that PwC was very supportive in transferring me to the Halifax office after I obtained my designation. I’ve always enjoyed my work yet felt like I was missing an overall purpose. For better or worse, I am an all or nothing type of person and if I don't feel passionate about what I am doing, it's difficult for me to find motivation. After traveling and volunteering in Rwanda, I decided I needed to do more in my own community. I joined Catapult as a Director and was surrounded by inspiring individuals; our students who overcame extreme challenges but were still leaders in their communities, Jane Roy who created the organization and countless others that committed their time and effort to an overall purpose to develop the next generation of leaders in Nova Scotia. I helped develop the Catapult Plus Program which includes a mentorship program and I also teach a session at the Catapult Plus Leadership Camp. My work with Catapult led me to seek a position at Acadia University. I realized that I am always happiest in my work when teaching and mentoring. I am able to combine my CPA, CA designation with what I love to do most. Life is full with two young children and a demanding job while I complete my MBA, but I couldn’t be happier in my day to day. I thoroughly enjoy the connection with the students and gain great satisfaction in helping them find their way. 

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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?

Obtaining my CPA, CA designation is something that I am proud of. I remember being in the airport waiting to board a flight from Halifax to Toronto to my convocation when the flight was cancelled due to a snowstorm. I missed my convocation, but my husband held a convocation at home for me in our apartment. It brings a smile to my face thinking about how meaningful that fake certificate was.   

What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?

There's a reason that people who move away often feel the pull to return to Atlantic Canada. We live here because we love our communities, we feel safe, we want to grow our families here and we want our children to feel the strong ties to this place we call home just as we do. Atlantic Canada right now has an opportunity to develop leaders that give back to their communities and stay or return to their communities. We have an opportunity to celebrate our hospitality and the fact that no matter what happens, our neighbours will help lift us up in times of need. We have an opportunity to celebrate our large growth of entrepreneurs which provides youth and vitality to our region. We have an opportunity to celebrate our small-scale farmers and the nourishment they provide to our communities while also addressing the challenges these farmers face. Our land, our people and our communities should not be taken for granted. They should be celebrated while also addressing the unique challenges posed on a federal and provincial level. 

What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?

I am continually pushing myself towards becoming my best self, taking stock of my strengths and weaknesses and being acutely aware of who I am and who I am not. My greatest stage of growth was leaving industry. There are events that took place that ultimately led me to this decision. I was very unhappy with my day to day work and decided that in order to be happy, I needed to do something different. I followed my gut even though it was uncomfortable. I knew there was something more fulfilling and if I was going to work hard, it had to be for something that I found meaningful. I gave into the process of letting my path unfold and I stopped planning so much for the future. There were a lot of ideas that came and went during this time of seeking; one day I thought I would open a Montessori nursery school the next I thought I would be a travelling yoga instructor followed by wanting to teach children cooking classes! I let myself think up these ideas and some I partially realized such as obtaining my yoga teacher certificate and some ideas are left in a journal to collect dust. After a meditation one evening I had an ah-ha moment that I was going to teach accounting. I looked at Acadia to see if there were any teaching offerings and here I am.

What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?

Disclosure: I currently only read articles for my MBA, textbooks and countless children’s books. I do, however, always have a few audiobooks on the go and multiple podcasts that I listen to.

Current Books:

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr. Joe Dispenza

Current Podcasts:

The Moth

Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury

Too many yoga, movement and meditation podcasts to list

The book that I continually come back to is Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg. I refer to this book when I find myself struggling to communicate. I do not follow the methods exactly, but there are wonderful tools to strengthen interpersonal relationships through communication and connection. 

What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?

I've realized how perfectionism can potentially be harmful. Every single one of us is enough, as we are, and it is nearly impossible to meet societal attitudes that push us to meet perfection by eating better, exercising more, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, being more successful, etc. etc. etc. I will never reach these unrealistic ideals, so I am learning to embrace myself as I am. Practicing self-love is a life-long practice and I’m going easy on myself for not being perfect on this front, as well. 

Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?

My Mother has always been my greatest inspiration. Being a single mother, she worked incredibly hard to provide for us, working from an entry level position to a director position without any post secondary education. I believe that my hard work ethic is bred from watching her. She has since left that job yet continues to show her resiliency. She has taught me to trust in my own strength by showing me hers. Watching her navigate through life all these years has taught me that I will survive no matter what life throws at me and I shouldn't take life so seriously.

There are many others that inspire me daily. Most people that I meet, if I listen long enough to their story, will say something that moves me. People that live a life true to their values, people that overcome barriers, people that are raw and honest about their struggles and allow themselves the grace to move through these challenges in their own unique way and people that are a voice for others even if it means giving away some of their own power. My husband is an inspiration for me for his humility, kindness and strength. My children inspire me with their unconditional love and their endless teachings which challenge me to grow as an individual.

What would you have done differently?

I can’t say I would do anything differently. I am a big believer of not looking back but looking forward. This doesn’t mean that I haven’t failed because I have, many times, but some of my greatest failures have resulted in my greatest opportunities for growth. 

What are the principles you live by?

Happiness is a result of connection to self, connection to others and connection to nature. Meditate daily to foster these connections.

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CPA, Lecturer, Mother, Yoga Teacher, Hiker