Ashley Smith

Bio:

Ashley Smith is a seasoned communications leader with over two decades of experience connecting people to purpose and driving business outcomes through strategic storytelling. Currently serving as Head of Internal & Executive Communications at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Ashley leads the team responsible for engaging employees and elevating C-suite voices through compelling, integrated communications across the enterprise. Her work has powered culture-shaping campaigns, product launches, and large-scale transformations.

In this role, Ashley built Otsuka’s first comprehensive internal and executive communications strategy, driving alignment across Commercial Sales, R&D, Inclusion, and Social Impact programs. She led the rollout of the company’s mid- and long-term strategies, launched its first employee brand advocacy program, and built an internal campaign to empower Otsuka voices in critical conversations about the invisible burden of caregiving.

Prior to Otsuka, Ashley was a Senior Director at Gagen MacDonald, where she led change communications for Fortune 100 clients navigating mergers, divestitures, and operating model transformations. Her earlier leadership roles at KPMG and Deloitte shaped global employee engagement, brand reputation, and change readiness strategies during periods of accelerated transformation, and designed personal equity platforms for C-suite executive combining internal narratives with public visibility.

An award-winning strategic communicator and trusted advisor to the C-suite, Ashley is known for building high-performing teams and delivering measurable impact through communications that inspire, inform, and empower.