Ashley Lynn Priore

2024-2025 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Headshot of Ashley Lynn Priore, 2024-2025 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Founder & CEO, Queens Gambit

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ashley Lynn Priore is the founder & CEO of Queens Gambit, an organization dedicated to addressing diversity and inclusivity gaps within the chess world. A chess prodigy since the age of four, she founded her organization at 14 and uses chess skills to transform the way youths acquire knowledge, while challenging perceptions of who can succeed in this space. Ashley serves more than 2,000 youth annually, ranging from first grade through senior year of high school. Through the Women and Girls in Chess Program, she sheds light on sexism in the chess world and promotes confidence in this population, both on and off the chessboard. She has seen how the valuable leadership lessons taught through chess provide a comprehensive approach to education and critical thinking that aid students throughout their academic careers and brings an innovative approach to youth engagement.

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