Womenize! – Inspiring Stories is our weekly series featuring inspirational individuals from games and tech. For this edition we talked to Ashley Blake, XR Evangelist & Founder. She speaks about how using VR for her own recovery led her to champion XR in healthcare, education, and inclusivity, aiming to empower marginalized voices in tech. Read more about Ashley here: 
Hi Ashley! Your journey from using VR for personal recovery to becoming a leading XR evangelist and co-founding multiple ventures is truly inspiring. How did this transformative experience shape your vision for the future of technology in healthcare and education, and what are your next big goals in this space?

I often describe my experience as “seeing the future” because that’s exactly how it felt. Gaming and writing were always my passions, but I was encouraged to pursue a “stable career,” and before 2018, I spent over a decade in pharmacy, and loved helping people.

Then, after a spinal injury left me reliant on a walker and facing a challenging recovery, I struggled with traditional physiotherapy. Seeking an alternative, I asked my surgeon if I could use VR as part of my rehabilitation. They agreed, saying that any activity where I was standing and moving would be beneficial since I was currently doing nothing.

The moment I started using VR, everything shifted. Rehabilitation transformed from a dreaded chore into something I genuinely looked forward to. The gamification motivated me to push myself further, and I spent more time on therapy than I ever thought I would. In that instant, I realized that VR was more than just entertainment—it was the next monumental step in technology, like the personal computer or the internet. A new medium with the potential to profoundly impact society.

I remember telling my partner, “I went into pharmacy to help people, but this is how I’m truly going to do that. This is what I was put on the planet to do.” 

This transformative experience reshaped my vision for the future of technology in everything from gaming to healthcare to education. I saw firsthand how immersive technologies could revolutionize not just individual experiences but entire systems of interaction. Immersive technology has incredible potential to make all kinds of experiences engaging, effective, and accessible to people everywhere.

As for my next big goals in this space, I’m currently focusing on passing my last classes and finishing my degree at UPenn. This journey is equipping me with the knowledge and skills to bridge the gap between technology and those who need it most. I believe we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible in XR and with AI, and I’m eager to be part of the future where emergent technology is transforming lives on a global scale. 

As a student and the CEO of elsewhereNFP as well as a prior Co-Founder, Owner, & COO, you’re deeply invested in leadership and digital strategies. How do your current studies influence your approach to leadership, and what advice would you give to aspiring leaders striving to balance education and career?

Balancing my roles has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. My studies have profoundly influenced my approach to leadership and vice versa, and I’m constantly being shown that learning is a lifelong journey. I’m continually weaving insights from my coursework into my professional life, and the experiences from work enrich my academic understanding. This synergy keeps me energized and passionate in a way I don’t think I’d be able to maintain if my degree and career were unrelated.

One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned is the importance of being intentional with my time—managing my “attention economy.” There’s a vast world of intellectual, professional, social, and recreational pursuits I’d love to explore, but time is finite, so I try to be super deliberate about where I focus my energy. Knowing how to set boundaries is also essential, not just with others but with yourself. To make a meaningful impact without burning out, I’ve learned to allocate specific times for work, studies, and personal life, and I respect those boundaries. 

These boundaries aren’t limitations; they’re commitments to myself to preserve what matters most. When I’m raiding in Final Fantasy, I’m not Ashley Blake, the founder or CEO or publisher you’re pitching a game to; I’m Ashley Riott, the Astrologian, a throughput healer trying to keep my pals safe, and that is so important in so many ways.

It’s easy to get caught up in work, especially when your work is deeply personal or something you’re passionate about, and so many folks stop having fun, stop playing games, or taking walks, or… doing anything that isn’t work. So my advice to aspiring leaders balancing education and career is to prioritize what fuels you and set boundaries that honor all aspects of your life. Be deliberate with your time, and don’t neglect the activities that recharge your spirit. In doing this, I have found both serendipitous success and profound personal fulfillment.

Your work with elsewhereNFP focuses on bridging gaps for marginalized leaders in the industry. Can you share some of the specific challenges these leaders face in the XR/VR space, and how your organization is addressing these obstacles? What advice would you offer marginalized individuals who are aspiring to make their mark in the industry?

That’s a big question that I’ve thought a lot about how to answer succinctly. Individuals from marginalized backgrounds face significant challenges in emergent technologies like XR and AI—challenges that often mirror those they encounter elsewhere. Underrepresentation, limited access to resources, and systemic biases make it difficult for their voices to be heard and their contributions recognized—simply existing can be a challenge.

When technology is developed predominantly by homogenous groups, there’s a real risk of embedding inherent biases into the very fabric of our technological advancements. This doesn’t just perpetuate existing inequalities; it leads to products and solutions that fail to serve the diverse needs of all users. In fields as transformative as XR and AI, diversity isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Diverse perspectives fuel innovation, challenge assumptions and drive the creation of technologies that are inclusive and equitable. Without a multitude of voices at the table, we risk building a future that doesn’t reflect or serve the richness of our global community.

My nonprofit, elsewhereNFP, was born out of my work at UPenn and my experiences in the gaming space. We’re dedicated to innovating inclusivity in the gaming industry through data-driven insights, responsive research, and resources. We collaborate with event organizers to gather data on attendees’ experiences, focusing on culture, comfort, and inclusivity. By analyzing this data, we provide actionable recommendations to improve events and create more welcoming environments. Our goal is to facilitate conversation, collaboration, education, and positive change within the industry.

For marginalized individuals aspiring to make their mark in the industry, I’d say: Your presence and perspectives are incredibly important. Don’t hesitate to take up space, share your ideas, and collaborate with others who are passionate about making a difference. The technology we’re building today shapes the society of tomorrow, and it’s crucial that it reflects the diversity of the people it serves.

Thanks for this interview, Ashley!

Ashley’s links: LinkedIn

Womenize! – Inspiring Stories Feature by Madeleine Egger