Ashley Whittaker currently serves as Executive Operations Manager at Parafin, a San Francisco–based startup building embedded financial infrastructure to expand access to capital for small businesses. In her role, Ashley leads a wide range of strategic initiatives across executive support, go-to-market operations, and workplace experience. She is passionate about creating systems that help teams thrive, and takes pride in building people-centered processes that align with long-term goals and values.

Ashley earned her B.A. in cognitive science with a minor in music from UC Berkeley in 2013. She was a proud member of the Cal Band for all four years. She also resided in Hoyt Hall, part of the Berkeley Student Cooperative, which taught her the importance of community, equity, and cooperation.

In 2016, Ashley embarked on her longstanding involvement with the Cal Band Alumni Association (CBAA), a special-interest chapter of the Cal Alumni Association (CAA). Throughout the years, she has held pivotal roles within CBAA, including treasurer, vice president, president, events chair, and council member. Ashley has demonstrated her exceptional planning skills by coordinating numerous events such as CBAA’s annual Alumni Band Day and biennial Reunion. When she’s not busy behind the scenes, she can be spotted with her fellow piccolo players doing horn flashes to Cal songs and rock tunes at various performances.

Ashley joined the CAA board in 2023 and has served on the Bylaws, Awards, Nominating, and Alumni Engagement Committees. She has also led CAA’s partnership with the Berkeley Board Fellows program, which aims to shape future board leaders through hands-on nonprofit board service focused on social impact, culminating in a strategic capstone project.

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.