Talent Tribute: Ashlee Larrison-Peifer

Our Talent Tribute Monthly Feature is designed to celebrate the phenomenal staff that serve our Members.

When Ashlee joined the VALLEYLIFE team in early 2023, she had no clue just how large an impact working with VALLEYLIFE Members would have on her. As the organization’s Communication Manager, she has played a key role in documenting everything from the day-to-day smiles throughout the organization to Member wins, both big and small. Despite being new to working directly with individuals with disabilities, it wasn’t long before the job felt like a natural fit. Prior to VALLEYLIFE, Ashlee had experience working in the communications field in various roles for four years.

In addition to capturing special memories through photos, Ashlee’s favorite part about her job is the friendships she’s been able to build with both Members and staff. Some of her favorite memories include photographing campus events like Oktoberfest and VALLEYLIFE’s annual Holiday party, as well as photographing and cheering Members on at Special Olympics Competitions.

Outside of VALLEYLIFE, Ashlee spends most of her time making Memories with her husband and their two dogs. Her hobbies include photography, writing poetry, and spending time with friends and family. She currently holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University, as well as a master’s degree in English with an emphasis in education from Grand Canyon University.

We sat down and asked Ashlee about her VALLEYLIFE experience as a whole, and this is what she had to say.

1. How would you describe your ideal day at VALLEYLIFE?

I would consider my perfect day to be any opportunity I have to visit with Members. I’ve absolutely loved hearing their stories and having the opportunity to capture so many of their smiles on camera over the years. I can’t downplay how much fun it is to have fostered so many beautiful friendships with both Members and staff and get to document all the fun they have on a day-to-day basis. If I can play a part in sharing that with a larger audience, then I’d say that would make for a pretty fulfilling day for me.

2. What has your time at VALLEYLIFE taught you over the years?

I believe VALLEYLIFE has taught me a lot of very important life lessons in my nearly three years.The first would definitely be to always find things to be grateful for, especially when times feel tough. It’s very rare for everything in life to feel perfect all the time, and through spending time with the Members and getting to witness how much positivity and gratitude they have, in both good times and bad, I have felt inspired to put more effort into applying that to my own life.

Another thing I’ve learned over the past three years would definitely be to always be kind to yourself. I’m of the philosophy that I should always try my best to practice what I preach, and if I believe in giving kindness to others, that kindness needs to start with myself. Linking that back to Members, they have been some of my most inspirational teachers when it comes to always loving yourself and others, and I look forward to continuing to learn from them.

3. Can you tell us what you enjoy most about interacting with Members?

Hands down, what I enjoy the most about interacting with Members is all the smiles and knowing that they remember me. It really warms my heart when I’m able to go to a DTA or a group home and see Members remember me and seem genuinely excited to see me. In a way, it makes me feel like the work I’m doing at VALLEYLIFE is able to have a positive impact on their lives.

4. What skills or qualities do you think are most important for success in your position?

It might sound like a cliché that a Communications professional would say that having good communication would be a key skill to have in my role, but I truly can’t emphasize it enough. There are always a lot of moving pieces here at VALLEYLIFE, and it is as important as ever to make sure you have good communication with your colleagues and leadership to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Some other skills I definitely think are important are time management, determination, and being able to roll with the punches. These are the skills that are critical to making sure I can get my projects done efficiently and with as little stress as possible.

5. Lastly, what do you hope to accomplish or learn in your future at VALLEYLIFE?

My goal for my future at VALLEYLIFE is to continue to grow and find new ways to share VALLEYLIFE’s messaging with more people on an internal and external level. I hope to continue to improve my skills within my craft and use them to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.