Dr. Deborah Ashton

Organizational Psychologist, Leadership & Next Gen Development Advisor, Governance, Inclusion & Succession Expert, Culture Strategist

Deborah Ashton, PhD, EdD is an organizational psychologist, executive advisor, and nationally recognized leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy. She is the President of Planet Perspective, where she advises organizations and boards on building inclusive, high-performing cultures and aligning DEI with business outcomes.

With more than 30 years of cross-industry experience, Dr. Ashton has led DEI and human capital strategy for major global organizations including Medtronic, Darden Restaurants, Harley-Davidson, Novant Health, and Argonne National Laboratory. Her work focuses on driving transformational change by addressing systemic and unconscious bias, strengthening leadership capability, and fostering inclusive organizational ecosystems.

A licensed psychologist, Dr. Ashton holds both a PhD and EdD from Harvard University, where she specialized in organizational and clinical psychology. She completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and has contributed extensively to thought leadership in the field, with publications in Harvard Business Review and other leading outlets.

Dr. Ashton is widely recognized for her impact, including being named a Top Influential Woman in Corporate America and a Health Equity Pioneer. She continues to serve on multiple advisory boards and is a sought-after speaker on leadership, equity, and organizational transformation.