Walt Ashe

Walt Ashe’s leadership turns challenges into stepping stones. Raised by civil rights and labor advocates as well as educators, he learned early on that progress is built through community, justice, and compassion — values that still guide him today. He overcame adverse situations early in life, while graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at age 20.

For more than three decades Walt’s driven high-impact projects and innovation.  At PayPal, he built more than cutting-edge edge products; he helped set a World Record for Giving Tuesday donations, and developed impactful financial features for underserved communities.

A champion of belonging, Walt co-chartered Amplify, a  PayPal global affinity group. Walt explores how AI and technology can be used for good and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.  He promotes belonging by mentoring emerging leaders and serving on staff committees. Walt earned the Stanford DCP Honor Roll three years running.  He has also received an Intellectual Contribution Award, by his Stanford GSB LEAD program peers.

Walt’s story is one of optimism grounded in action — a reminder that resilience isn’t just about surviving hard things, but about using them to make something better. We look forward to the insights you will hear more about Walt as an Undaunted Voices co-host. (Bonus - Walt’s alter ego super power is “Practical Reality Guy”,  figure courtesy of Terran Boylan of @subversiveplaythings)