Leading Through Impact: Ashley Petress, Co-Founder of Second Chance Global, on Purpose-Driven Leadership, Generational Change, and Building a Legacy That Lasts
- Staff Writer - She Speaks CEO
- Jun 14
- 4 min read
Ashley Petress’s leadership journey has never been about
titles, recognition, or building influence for influence’s sake.
It has always been about impact. Real impact. The kind that changes the trajectory of families, restores dignity, and
creates opportunities where there once were none.
As Founder and CEO of Second Chance Global and The
Purpose Project, Ashley Petress has spent the last decade building a movement rooted in three simple words:
Just Say Yes.
What began as a personal encounter with a family facing
extreme poverty evolved into a global mission to break cycles of generational poverty through empowerment, education, and sustainable opportunity.
Since 2016, Second Chance Global has impacted more than one million lives across three countries and generated more than $5.5 million in support toward long-term transformation initiatives.
But behind the numbers is a leader who speaks candidly about surrender, faith, resilience, and the emotional weight of carrying a mission that affects real lives every day.
A mother of young children, Ashley leads with both conviction and compassion. Her leadership style is deeply rooted in purpose, shaped not only by strategy and systems, but by a belief that transformation happens when people are given the tools, dignity, and opportunity to build their futures.
In this conversation with She Speaks CEO Magazine, Ashley shares what it truly means to lead with impact, how purpose can be operationalized into measurable change, and why legacy begins with the courage to simply say yes.
SSCEO: As the Founder of Second Chance Global, what does “leading with impact” mean to you personally?
AP: “Leading with impact” isn’t about how many people we reach, it’s about how deeply lives are changed. For me, it means choosing long-term transformation over quick wins. It’s easy to respond to immediate needs, but real impact happens when we empower people to become self-sufficient, rediscover their dignity, and step into their own purpose.
SSCEO: Your work is deeply rooted in transformation and second chances. What inspired you to build this organization?
AP: My husband and I experienced second chances of our own, which deeply shaped how we see the world. When we met a little girl living in an orphanage, we later realized she wasn’t there because she lacked family, but because her family lacked financial resources. We couldn’t ignore it. Her mother had passed away during childbirth, and her father didn’t have a stable income to care for the children.
What started as a desire to help one family quickly became something much bigger. We saw what was possible when dignity is restored, when cycles of poverty are broken, and when people are given the opportunity to create sustainable change for themselves.
SSCEO: Many leaders talk about purpose, but few operationalize it. How have you translated purpose into measurable impact?
AP: Purpose only matters if it produces real change. Early on, we realized that short-term relief wasn’t enough. In many cases, it can unintentionally create deeper dependency. We had to focus on long-term self-sufficiency.
To date, we’ve helped create more than 2,000 income opportunities, enrolled over 3,000 individuals in locally led programs, and expanded access to education for more than 10,000 people. Every number represents a life with greater stability, opportunity, and dignity.
SSCEO: What has been one of the most defining challenges you’ve faced as a founder?
AP: One of the most defining challenges has been carrying the weight of responsibility, not just for an organization, but for the people behind it. The challenges over the last 10 years have shaped me profoundly. They’ve built grit in me because there really isn’t another option. Too much is at stake. I carry a deep sense of responsibility and focus because real lives are connected to the decisions I make today.
SSCEO: How do you maintain resilience when the work carries both emotional and societal weight?
AP: I’ve learned that I can’t carry it alone.
I’m rooted in my faith and surrounded by people who are deeply committed to the mission, including our staff and Board of Directors. During difficult seasons, they remind me why we started and help carry the vision forward. Personally, my faith keeps me grounded. It gives me perspective, especially in moments when the challenges feel overwhelming.
SSCEO: What advice would you give to women who feel called to lead but are still navigating uncertainty or self-doubt?
AP: Just say yes. Just jump in. Just start.
When I started this organization 10 years ago, we had no idea what we were doing. We literally bought Nonprofit Management for Dummies on Amazon and nervously flipped through the pages when it arrived.
There will always be some uncertainty. There will always be moments of doubt. But you move forward anyway, with who you are and what you have.
SSCEO: Where can readers learn more or get involved?
AP: You can learn more, follow our journey, or support the mission at secondchanceglobal.org.
The Purpose Project is a fair-trade initiative created by Second Chance Global in 2019, designed to help break cycles of generational poverty through sustainable income opportunities, skills training, and empowerment for vulnerable families and women.
The Purpose Project teaches local artisans to create handmade products while simultaneously opening pathways to independence through vocational development and income generation opportunities.
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