Employee Spotlight: Ashlea Owings, Business Operations and Program Manager

Welcome back to another Employee Spotlight! This month features our Business Operations and Program Manager Ashlea Owings. She has been with RedCAT Systems for a year and is driving organization and processes for our teams. 

Continue reading to learn how she finds moments of balance each day.

How did you get into this field of work?

I started my career down an entirely different path but pivoted 10 years ago and haven’t looked back. At the time, I was working in a customer-facing role for a sports technology company. An opportunity for a scrum master role opened and I decided to put my name in for consideration. 

It was through this that I found a love for working with engineering teams. I enjoy helping them self manage and organize to be more efficient. I specialize in Agile methodologies to help companies and their teams improve and succeed. 

You always have the best workplace book recommendations. What is one book you cannot live without and why?

One I find the most relatable is “Win in the Dark: Some think you shine under the bright lights, the bright lights only reveal your work in the dark” by Joshua Medcalf and Lucas Jadin. It’s applicable and one worth revisiting over time.  

How do you find moments for yourself during busy seasons of work?

I am a true lover of yoga.  When things are busy, I roll out my mat and take a few minutes to sit in the present. 

What encouraged you to seek yoga instructor training? 

I have practiced yoga for more than 20 years. The yoga community is one of the best parts about teaching and practicing. It was two years ago during a yoga retreat in Tulum, Mexico that I became more serious about getting my certification. 

One night I was at dinner with several wonderful women from the retreat. We were each sharing personal stories and goals we hoped to accomplish. In that conversation, I shared my love for yoga and how I wanted to get my certification but I always had an excuse not to, whether it was time or family priorities. 

One of the women on the trip looked me square in the face and called my bluff. She said, “You’re meant to be a yoga teacher. Figure out how to do it.”

It was because of that honest moment that I decided to figure it out and I did! I now host pop-up classes in my community during the weekends.

What from your practice do you carry into your everyday life?

I try to live every day fully focused and present in the moment. I try not to ignore the little things each day has to offer. Every night I recount what I am grateful for. 

What is your favorite part of traveling with your sons to their sporting events? Do you have a preferred sport to watch?

We get to travel to a lot of places with our older son playing hockey. I especially love northern Minnesota where it’s beautiful in the summer around Duluth. 

Our family enjoys watching hockey, but when it comes to baseball, our youngest is spunky. He is a baseball player through and through. I will sit in the blazing summer heat to watch him hit dingers every weekend!

We love to watch our boys live their dreams. It’s the greatest privilege and blessing. 

One of my favorite topics to chat with you about is your son’s dog Winnie. Can you tell us more about her?

Winnie, Winnifred Sanderson, Winnie Moo, Fredster–just a few household names for our Shorkie (a hybrid of a Shitz Tsu and Yorkshire Terrier). She is a registered emotional support pup! 

Winnie travels with us for hockey and camping. She’s the greatest sidekick. While she technically belongs to my youngest son, she is really my little lady! She’s super sweet, sassy, and extremely spoiled (just like her proper owner). 

Thank you, Ashlea! It’s always so great having the opportunity to learn more about our team members. Especially when they share how they create moments that matter, whether through personal practice, family adventures, or career exploration.