Ashley Swidnicki

Ashley Swidnicki is a dynamic and visionary C-level executive whose career is defined by transformational leadership, operational excellence, and a people-first philosophy. With over two decades of progressive financial experience across diverse sectors — including legal services, academia, healthcare, and consumer goods — Ashley has emerged as a high-impact CFO whose influence extends far beyond the balance sheet.

Now serving in her second CFO role before the age of 40, Ashley currently leads financial strategy at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP (RSHC), one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country. As the firm’s first-ever CFO, she was entrusted with building the finance function from the ground up during a period of accelerated growth and organizational change. Under her leadership, RSHC’s finance department evolved from a transactional back-office team into a strategic, 14-person function that delivers real-time insights, enhances operational performance, and helps steer the firm toward its vision — now approaching $100 million in annual revenue. Her ability to architect scalable systems while cultivating high-performing teams has made her an indispensable partner to the firm’s leadership.

Before joining RSHC, Ashley served as CFO for a multi-entity private organization encompassing 11 restaurants, a real estate portfolio, and a telecom construction business. Reporting directly to the board, she engineered the company’s financial infrastructure and long-range growth plan, driving both fiscal performance and cultural evolution. Earlier in her career, she served as Director of Finance at the University of Chicago, where she honed her expertise in strategic planning and mission-aligned financial stewardship.

A first-generation college graduate, Ashley’s personal story reflects resilience, grit, and purpose. Her ascent through the financial ranks was shaped by early life challenges that instilled a deep sense of empathy and determination. Today, she channels that experience into uplifting others — both inside and outside the workplace. She is an engaged community advocate, currently supporting the Springboard Foundation Fund of the Chicago Community Foundation, which champions afterschool programming in under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods. She has also served on various boards, bringing her financial acumen to philanthropic missions.

Ashley holds a BBA in Finance from East Tennessee State University, an MBA from Milligan University, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in advanced accounting from Northwestern University. She also completed the prestigious Executive Program for Emerging Leaders at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Ashley Swidnicki is more than a CFO — she is a builder, a mentor, and a change agent. She is strategic, insightful, and an inclusive leader who possesses an unwavering commitment to excellence.