The PM Podcast: What Drives Me Forward – A Conversation with Ashley Hufft
Release Date: May 6, 2025
In this enlightening episode of The PM Podcast, host Jay Frost engages in a compelling conversation with Ashley Hufft, the President and CEO of Unbound, an innovative international nonprofit based in Kansas City. Ashley shares her inspiring journey from corporate law to global development, highlighting the transformative work Unbound is doing to alleviate poverty worldwide.
1. Early Life and Influences
Ashley attributes her lifelong dedication to service to her upbringing in southwest Missouri. Her father, an orthopedic surgeon, was deeply involved in community service, serving as the local family doctor for an Amish community and providing free medical services at the federal penitentiary in Springfield. Her mother was a devoted teacher who transitioned to full-time home responsibilities while engaging in numerous volunteer activities.
“Both of them early on instilled the living a life of service in me.”
(00:14)
The family's frequent travels and Ashley’s exposure to National Geographic fostered her adventurous spirit and curiosity about different cultures, leading her to pursue anthropology and archaeology during her undergraduate studies.
2. Educational Path and Early Career Choices
Following her undergraduate degree, Ashley joined Teach for America, teaching in a rural school in Louisiana. Her initial aspiration was to engage in public service, potentially pursuing roles in local politics or diplomacy.
However, after law school at Harvard, influenced partly by personal relationships, Ashley entered the corporate legal world. She joined Alston & Bird in Atlanta, which later relocated to New York. Despite excelling professionally and becoming a partner in 2005, Ashley felt unfulfilled, experiencing emotional turmoil as she realized her true passion lay elsewhere.
“I was riding the subway to work every day with tears in my eyes thinking, you know, this is... This isn't right.”
(03:15)
3. Transition from Law to International Development
The turning point came when Ashley read "The End of Poverty" by Jeffrey Sachs, igniting her desire to work in Africa. Demonstrating remarkable courage, she approached Sachs expressing her willingness to volunteer her legal expertise.
“I want to go to Africa.”
(00:25)
Sachs welcomed her enthusiasm, sending her to Kenya to work on a foreign investment project in collaboration with the Kenyan government and the United Nations. This sabbatical marked Ashley's definitive shift from a lucrative legal career to international development.
4. Impactful Work with Millennium Villages and Beyond
Returning to her law firm briefly in 2008 during the financial crisis, Ashley found it untenable to continue in corporate law and fully committed to global development. She spearheaded the Millennium Villages Project, aiming to achieve the Millennium Development Goals at the community level. Her work extended to Rwanda and Senegal, focusing on sustainable development and policy improvement.
Throughout her tenure, Ashley balanced professional aspirations with personal milestones, including adopting a son from Ethiopia, which deepened her commitment to her work and community.
5. Founding and Leading Unbound
After relocating to Kansas City due to the COVID-19 pandemic and personal reasons, Ashley discovered Unbound. The organization’s unique approach resonated with her vision, leading her to join as Chief Strategy Officer and subsequently assume the role of CEO and President.
“I fell in love with it and joined it coming up on my three-year anniversary as the Chief Strategy officer and then became the CEO and President about one year ago.”
(08:54)
Unbound distinguishes itself through its direct cash transfer model, empowering families by providing them with monthly payments directly to their bank accounts without dictating how the funds should be used. This approach fosters autonomy and respects the recipients’ expertise in identifying and addressing their own needs.
6. Unbound’s Innovative Model and Impact
Unbound operates across 17 countries, supporting approximately 250,000 families and maintaining a waitlist of 20,000. The organization emphasizes community-driven goal setting through the Poverty Stoplight platform, enabling families to assess their living conditions and set personalized goals across various indicators such as education, health, and income.
“We give the family the money, and we do not tell them how to use it because we realize they are the experts.”
(30:38)
Additionally, Unbound fosters community solidarity through mothers’ groups, which facilitate savings cooperatives and small business grants. These initiatives have led to remarkable transformations, including improved housing, education, and local infrastructure projects initiated by the families themselves.
7. Challenges and Strategic Goals
A significant challenge Ashley highlights is the extensive waitlist, reflecting the vast need for support. Despite Unbound’s growth and resilient funding model—predominantly sourced from individual sponsors contributing $40 monthly—the demand continues to outpace capacity.
“I worry every day. I worry about that wait list.”
(54:04)
Looking ahead, Ashley outlines Unbound’s strategic plan aiming to support 400,000 families by 2030 and expand into new regions. She remains optimistic about scaling the model, driven by Unbound’s unique approach and the enduring support from a loyal donor base.
8. Funding Resilience and Community Engagement
Unbound’s reliance on sustained, long-term sponsorships rather than one-time donations ensures financial stability and fosters deep personal connections between donors and recipients. This model not only provides financial support but also emotional encouragement, significantly impacting the lives of sponsor families.
“We have a very loyal base of supporters and donors.”
(36:34)
9. Personal Reflections and Optimism
Reflecting on her journey, Ashley expresses profound fulfillment derived from witnessing the tangible impact of Unbound’s work. While acknowledging the enormity of global poverty, she remains convinced that meaningful change is achievable through dedication and empathetic support.
“What drives me forward is knowing... I don't know if we can eliminate it for the 700 million people in extreme poverty today, but I certainly know for the 250,000, 400,000 families of Unbound or more, it's possible.”
(56:07)
Conclusion
Ashley Hufft’s story is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and the profound difference that dedicated individuals and innovative organizations like Unbound can make in the fight against poverty. Her leadership exemplifies a harmonious blend of personal commitment, strategic vision, and unwavering optimism, inspiring listeners to contribute to global social good.
For more information about Unbound and how to get involved, visit Unbound.org.
Notable Quotes:
- Ashley Hufft: “I was riding the subway to work every day with tears in my eyes thinking, you know, this is... This isn't right.” (03:15)
- Ashley Hufft: “I want to go to Africa.” (00:25)
- Ashley Hufft: “We give the family the money, and we do not tell them how to use it because we realize they are the experts.” (30:38)
- Ashley Hufft: “What drives me forward is knowing... I don't know if we can eliminate it for the 700 million people in extreme poverty today, but I certainly know for the 250,000, 400,000 families of Unbound or more, it's possible.” (56:07)
This summary captures the essence of Ashley Hufft’s journey, her leadership at Unbound, and the organization’s innovative approach to poverty alleviation, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.