For Ashleigh Edmonds, adaptability has been a way of life from the very beginning.

The Oklahoma State University alumna grew up in a military family, moving across the country and around the world before eventually settling in Lawton, Oklahoma. That constantly changing environment taught her lessons that would shape the rest of her life.

“When you move frequently, you learn how to connect with people quickly,” Edmonds said. “You learn how to adapt.”

Living in military communities also exposed her to different ways of life as she attended schools filled with students from different racial, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Those early experiences broadened her perspective and helped her develop an appreciation for understanding people from all walks of life, which would later become the foundation of her career.

When it came time to choose a college, Edmonds wanted a place that offered both independence and connection. OSU provided exactly that balance. Stillwater was far enough from home to allow her to grow on her own, but close enough to remain connected to family and friends.

More importantly, she felt an immediate sense of belonging.

“I really loved the community that I was getting in Stillwater,” she said. “It felt special.”

Although she initially thought she might pursue sports medicine because of her love of athletics, dance and cheerleading, Edmonds discovered that her greatest strengths lay elsewhere. She was naturally curious about people and fascinated by communication. Those interests led her to OSU’s School of Media and Strategic Communications, where she found a home in public relations.

At OSU, Edmonds immersed herself in campus life. She participated in a wide range of organizations, including Pi Beta Phi, Mortar Board Society, Orange Pride, the Public Relations Student Society and several leadership programs. She also worked in university offices, including the President’s Office, where she developed her leadership abilities and professional skills.

One of her most significant contributions came through Greek life. In 2003, Edmonds became one of the few Black women to join a traditionally white sorority on campus.

Rather than allowing the distinction to define her experience, she focused on creating opportunities for connection and inclusion. She worked to build relationships across different Greek organizations and encouraged greater collaboration among students from varied backgrounds.

“I always wanted to help people find a place where they felt like they could be their full self,” she said.

After graduation, Edmonds moved to New York City. She encountered the challenges of a competitive job market before finding an opportunity with a small organization.

The role exposed her to event planning, sponsorships, communications and nonprofit leadership. She eventually became the first full-time employee of the Council of Urban Professionals.

The experience sparked a passion for marketing and brand building.

Today, Edmonds is a senior leader in the consumer packaged goods industry with more than a decade of experience at Kraft Heinz. She currently serves as the head of marketing for Mac & Cheese at Kraft Heinz, overseeing a portfolio of iconic brands that includes Kraft Mac & Cheese, Velveeta and Cracker Barrel Mac & Cheese.

The business she leads generates roughly $1.5 billion in annual sales.

While many people think of marketing as advertising, Edmonds sees it differently. Her work combines storytelling, consumer psychology, strategy, manufacturing, innovation and financial performance.

“At the end of the day, marketing is all about understanding people,” she said.

That perspective has fueled some of her most successful initiatives. She helped lead many award-winning campaigns, including “Art of the Burger,” which depicted an artist’s palette displaying a paintbrush dipped in ketchup alongside mayonnaise, mustard, special sauce and pickle slices. She has also championed product innovations inspired by direct consumer feedback, including larger family-sized offerings designed to address real household needs.

Despite her success, Edmonds credits much of her professional foundation to the skills and development she gained as a student at OSU.

“We are incredibly proud to see Ashleigh leading marketing efforts for such an iconic, globally recognized brand,” said Dr. Jared Johnson, director of the School of Media and Strategic Communications. “It shows our current students that the foundation they build here can take them to the very highest levels of corporate leadership and international brand management.”

Whether she is launching a new product or guiding a billion-dollar business, Edmonds believes effective leaders must understand the people they serve and tailor communications and solutions accordingly.

Looking back, her journey reflects many of the themes that have defined her life: resilience, curiosity, service and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities.

From a military child learning to adapt in new environments to a barrier-breaking OSU student and marketing executive leading some of America’s most recognizable brands, Edmonds has built a career centered on connection.

And through it all, she continues to embody the spirit that first drew her to Oklahoma State — helping people find where they belong and empowering them to succeed.

Photos by: Provided

Story by: Libby Ray | STATE Magazine