After working in sales for other industries in Charlotte, Leah Wong Ashburn came to work with her father Oscar Wong at Highland Brewing Company in 2011. She began her time with Highland working in the sales department, eventually moving from Vice President to President in 2015 then CEO in 2018.

“I remember feeling so nervous because my personality is more cautious; my dad was the risk-taker,” Ashburn said. “That is often a stereotypical thing with women. We often have a real need to make everything right and make all the right decisions. This was a big responsibility in a rapidly-changing industry.”

There was a bit of hesitation from others when Ashburn began her leadership roles in the company, though she said she didn’t feel like it was because she is a woman. There was a change in some of the company’s top leadership positions, and any change can be difficult. She said it all worked out fine, as the company is always evolving, and these different evolutions are what has helped to make the company successful.

“There was a call to make the brewery my own,” Ashburn said. “It was such a gift, and my dad was so willing and open to have the business be mine and reflect new times, new people, and fresh eyes. I’m still really grateful for that.”

From an external perspective, Ashburn said she felt “verbally patted on the head” by some of her customers when she took over ownership of the company. Not being as outwardly social as her father, she feels that her personality type can sometimes be read as a lack of appreciation for a customer, but that’s not the case.

“I read a comment in our reviews that spoke to that, and I took that really hard because I knew it was incorrect,” Ashburn said. “I know how much I care and my staff know how much I care. I’ve learned to maintain confidence in myself, and I’ve learned not to read all the reviews. I feel like taking these things personally overlaps with trying to get everything right.”

Ashburn said she hasn’t tried to make a big deal about being a female brewery owner. Her dad always told her it’s more important to do than to say, and she feels that is working when she hears sweet words from Highland’s fans.

“I was raised in a family that said assimilation is the smoothest route,” Ashburn said. “I haven’t pointed out that I’m half-Asian or female in a blog or gone after grants for that. The most impactful things that have happened are when other members of the brewing community or fans of craft brewing approach me and are so gracious and grateful. The respect they give is really touching; it feels great to hear people say they are proud I’m representing women in this field.”

Highland has a 40% female staff, and Ashburn said her father would say that women have brought so much value to the company. Female staff have played a significant role in the development of their philanthropy work. Marketing, accounting, and quality control are also female-dominated areas of the business, and the first male in the events department came on just recently. The lead designer that helped with Highland’s rebrand also happens to be female, and she feels a female perspective has helped shape the look of the brewery’s spaces as well.

The values Ashburn said she brings to the company are the same three words she learned as a child at home — quality, integrity, and respect. She maintains company values set by her father of doing good to do well, delivering quality beer, sticking to her word, and treating everyone with respect because every human is deserving of that.

“Being the President and CEO of Highland is a bigger thing than I ever thought I would do,” Ashburn said. “I’m surrounded by creative and intelligent people. I feel responsible for all of their welfare and I feel the gravity that comes with that, but it’s as much an honor as it is challenging. It’s really fun work, and I feel honored and humbled every day in my position."