Ashley Basile Oeken

 

Executive Director
at Engage! Cleveland

 

by Eboni Blockum, crew 2

 

 

There are so many people, who inspire me from my favorite actor to my favorite teacher, but one person really stands out and that is Ashley Basile-Oeken. Ashley Basile-Oeken is the Executive Director at Engaged Cleveland. Like most people, Mrs. Basile-Oeken had someone who inspired her too, “my mom, she was born  overseas moved to the states when she was 16 years old and didn’t speak any English, but did everything she could to take care of me” and “I want other people to have the same support I had, and Engage! Cleveland gives that to them.”      

  

Basile-Oeken is twenty eight years old and from Youngstown, OH but has lived in Cleveland for the past five years. Ashley attended Youngstown State University and received a degree in marketing which prepared her for future and beyond. She enjoys being able to reach out to others here in the city of Cleveland, and help attract young professionals to enhance the Cleveland job market and boost the economy.                                                                                                                  

Engaged Cleveland is an organization that helps local young professionals find jobs in Cleveland.  “Cleveland’s community has so much to offer and the young people should take advantage of it.” “I don’t want to be famous for what I do, I just want to help” says Mrs. Basile-Oeken.” “Once a young professional is helped I feel such a sense of accomplishment.” “ For example, we helped Jason a young professional who decided to go back to school in his 30’s and then got a job at his internship, wrote a whole story about it in a magazine. “I still keep in touch with him now and along with other people too” (usually through email).

 

Ms. Basile-Oeken recently spoke to a group of graduates from Case Western Reserve University who were participating as fellows in a summer program. “One of the fellows was originally from Iran and thus far had not had a good experience in Cleveland. I got her connected to our work by inviting her to events, having her meet new people, etc. Now, she loves Cleveland and EC and serves as one of our committees acting as an ambassador for others.”

 

Ms. Basile-Oeken loves her job. She thinks there are so many advantages. “Like running a nonprofit and especially one that geared at young professionals enables me to fulfill a personal passion. It is much more rewarding seeing you work in process face to face than reading a financial report and wondering if you played a part.” “EC is also a very forward thinking organization that is entrepreneurial in spirit. This allows me to practice what I preach.” Basile- Oeken also enjoys that, “EC permits teleworking, casual clothing, etc. which is all a part of a new work environment that Millennials enjoy.”

 

There are some small disadvantages too. “Doing a new organization in town means constantly have to prove the value of your organization. I am always thinking about the organizations capacity and sustainability long term as we are funded by others and not making a large enough profit to run EC without philanthropy.”

 

Ashley Basile-Oeken is married; her husband is from Ashland, OH and is in the Federal Government Project Management. “We met at a Cleveland Indians game” “and yes I am a big sports fan.” Mrs. Basile-Oeken is such an inspiring individual that has helped so many people. She clearly loves what she does and wants to continue doing it for a long time. If she could sum up her life in 3 for words they would be “Loving Life A lot” She gives so much great advice for instance.“ "Be open minded to Cleveland because it will surprise you.”