Ashley Whittaker ’13
Cognitive Science
Oakland, CA
Executive Assistant, Parafin
Often referred to in her career as a professional generalist, Ashley currently serves as an executive assistant at Parafin, an embedded financial infrastructure startup based in San Francisco. In this role, Ashley skillfully manages a wide array of projects, processes, and events while expertly coordinating the calendars of four executives. Prior to her time at Parafin, Ashley was the operations manager at an HR executive search firm and an executive assistant at a fintech-focused venture capital firm.
Ashley earned her B.A. in cognitive science and a minor in music from UC Berkeley in 2013. During her transformative years at Cal, she actively participated in the marching band, showcasing her musical talent and bringing Cal spirit to the campus community. Ashley also had the privilege of residing in Hoyt Hall, part of the Berkeley Student Cooperative.
In 2016, Ashley embarked on her longstanding involvement with Cal Alumni Association (CAA) through the Cal Band Alumni Association (CBAA), a special interest Alumni Chapter of CAA. Throughout the years, she has held pivotal roles within CBAA, including treasurer, vice president, president, and council member. Additionally, Ashley has demonstrated her exceptional planning skills by successfully coordinating numerous events such as Alumni Band Day and Reunion. When she’s not busy behind the scenes, Ashley also plays piccolo with the Alumni Band. Her commitment to Cal and unwavering pride in the community serve as the driving force behind her volunteer work and heartfelt desire to give back. With her strategic organizational skills, relentless dedication, and genuine gratitude, Ashley continues to shape and enrich the lives of students, alumni, and all those fortunate enough to call themselves Golden Bears.