October 30, 2023

The rule is never to ask a woman her age, but Georgia Trend’s recent “40 Under 40” listing clearly lets you know that 2006 Columbus State University alumna Ashley Woitena is 39. The feature also makes it clear that she’s among the state’s “best and brightest” leaders.

Woitena finished her bachelor of business administration in management from the D. Abbott Turner College of Business & Technology in 2006 after transferring from Chattahoochee Valley Community College. For nearly the entire time since graduating from Columbus State, she has contributed to local and statewide tourism and economic development efforts through her work on behalf of VisitColumbusGA.

Since joining the organization in 2007, she has risen through the ranks to her current role as senior vice president. The job finds her developing and implementing the Sales Team’s strategy and goals on behalf of the organization, whose purpose is to drive economic development through tourism.

“My CSU degree has opened doors for me and put me above other job candidates I was competing with,” Woitena noted. “My professors helped prepare me to present myself professionally, and I graduated with a strong foundation of researching, data analysis, preparing reports and reviewing case studies. I have used those skills daily throughout my career, and I can say that I can credit much of success to my business classes at Columbus State.”

As president and CEO of VisitColumbusGA, Peter Bowden sees Woitena, and those skills, in action.

“I’m not surprised Ashley would be recognized for this honor and couldn’t be prouder,” Bowden said. “Her work ethic and leadership within the organization has set new standards and helped create success year after year.”

That success, in Fiscal Year 2023, saw 1.9 million visitors coming to Columbus for business and trade conferences, conventions, meetings, local attractions, and to visit family and friends. Their estimated spending totaled more than $381 million locally, supported an estimated 4,969 jobs with a payroll of more than $159 million, and generated more than $26 million in lodging and sales tax for the city.

Woitena has distinguished herself through professional service and achievement. That has included working full time while completing an MBA and later serving as president of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, of which she has been a board member since 2016.

In addition, she’s earned the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus Leadership Excellence Certification and the Southeast Tourism Society’s Tourism Marketing Professional (TMP) distinction, and she is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Columbus. She recently earned the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation though Destinations International (DI).

The LaGrange native has clearly made Columbus her home, and her enthusiasm for showcasing Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley area extends to caring for those in the most vulnerable communities. For over 14 years, she has worked with a local chef to deliver freshly made Thanksgiving dinners to those in need. The charity evolved into a partnership with local food bank Feeding the Valley Inc., creating “The Big Gobble” holiday event benefiting more than 2,000 area residents. Her community service also includes work as a local board member for Girls Inc., a national nonprofit that supports girls with national mentoring and enrichment.

With all of that, Woitena still makes time to remain connected with Columbus State as an alumna, noting that she’s more involved today as a graduate than she was as a student. That, she pointed out, is something she’d do over if she could.

“If I could offer advice to current students, it would be to slow down, enjoy being a college student, get involved in clubs and spend time just enjoying this stage in your life,” she said.

She also advises students to make the most out of networking opportunities — underscoring the contacts she made as a student continue to serve her today.

“During my time in college, I worked downtown in a restaurant and loved every second of that,” she reminisced. “Those restaurant and hospitality industry relationships are still helping me to this day professionally and have produced some lifelong friendships.”

She has enjoyed deepening her relationships with fellow Columbus State alumni through her involvement with the CSU Alumni Association.

“I’ve had the opportunity to go [with the alumni association] on various trips to see an Atlanta United game, and I especially remember a day-long experience visiting Pasaquan, Richland Rum and Omaha Brewing,” she recalled. “I try to attend as many events as possible, like First Thursdays, but I’m always looking for more ways to be involved and volunteer.”

Georgia Trend’s annual “40 Under 40” listing honors a variety of professionals, from business executives, entrepreneurs, educators and more.  All make a difference and an impact in their professions, and many are also known for their service to others outside of work.  Georgia Trend selected this group from hundreds of nominations submitted statewide.

For a complete list of this year’s “40 Under 40” honorees and a link to the digital version of Georgia Trend’s October 2023 edition where the list appears, visit the Georgia Trend website.

Media contact:
Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu