Market Operations Director Shares How Compassionate Care Shaped Her Career Path to Strive

Strive Health Market Operations Director Ashley Young has spent her career building strong, coordinated care teams. However, her passion for helping patients began long before her career in healthcare.  

At just six years old, Ashley watched her younger sister, Hillary, undergo treatment for Wilms tumor, a rare and serious form of kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Over the next several years, her family’s life was shaped by hospital visits, chemo treatments and the compassion of nurses, doctors and other caregivers who guided them through it every step of the way. 

“Looking back, the experience could have been so much more traumatic,” Ashley recalls. “But the teams at the Virginia-based health systems my sister went to treated us like family. They cared not just for my sister, but for all of us. I never felt scared. I never felt like we were a burden. I felt like they’d make sure everything was going to be OK.” 

Today, Ashley leads operations for Strive’s North Carolina market. She works closely with clinical teams, providers and partners to deliver high-touch kidney care across the Southeast. Her personal connection to kidney health fuels her mission to ensure that patients and their families feel supported every step of the way, just as hers once did. 

Q: Why do you strive? 

A: I strive because of my sister, Hillary. Her cancer journey heavily shaped the work I do. It was my first taste of what the healthcare experience should be: compassionate, personal and family-focused. I wanted to be part of recreating that positive experience for others. 

Q: How has your personal connection to kidney health shaped the way you lead and work with your team? 

A: My sister’s journey taught me the power of genuine compassion in healthcare. I carry that with me every day at Strive. We care for patients who often face tough diagnoses, so I try to ensure our work not only addresses their clinical needs but also supports them as people, the same way my family was supported years ago. 

Q: What drew you to Strive specifically? 

A: Strive’s patient-centered, value-based approach. It mirrors the care Hillary and our family experienced, and it’s rewarding to be part of an organization that wants to build that kind of care journey for others. Strive is also people-focused in every sense. We take care of each other and that translates into better care for our patients. There’s a real emphasis on work-life balance, collaboration and even having fun.  

Q: What’s been the most rewarding part of working at Strive? 

A: The patients. As part of my role, I shadow our teams, listen in on calls and hear Strive’s impact firsthand. The individuals we serve, especially those in rural areas, face challenging circumstances. When I hear patients say Strive is “a blessing,” it’s the best motivation there is. 

Q: Why would you encourage someone to work at Strive? 

A: Strive is a mission-driven company where you can have a tangible impact. You get to work with smart, passionate people who are aligned around doing the right thing for the right reasons. Plus, you’ll be supported — not just as an employee, but as a person. That combination is powerful. 

Q: How is your sister doing today? 

A: She’s great and has been in remission for years. She only has one kidney, so she avoids contact sports, but otherwise she thrives. As the vice principal of a rural elementary school, she is an amazing educator and leader in her community. She is one of the strongest and smartest people I know, and the reason I strive every day. 

Join Us 

Want to make a difference in the lives of people living with kidney disease? Explore Strive’s career opportunities at StriveHealth.com/Careers.