Crystal Ashby is an accomplished senior executive, board member, and lawyer with more than 35 years of leadership success—particularly in the energy sector. She is currently executive vice president, chief people, DEI, and communications officer at Independence Health Group.

Ms. Ashby previously served as interim president and chief executive officer at The Executive Leadership Council. Her corporate leadership experience is highlighted by a successful 22-year career with BP, most recently serving as executive vice president of Government and Public Affairs and Strategic University Relationships.

In addition to serving on Texas RE’s Board, she also currently serves as a non-executive director of BAE Systems plc and formerly served on the Holocaust Museum Houston Board. At her alma mater, the University of Michigan, she sits on the Engineering Dean’s Leadership Advisory Board, chairing its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion external council.

Ms. Ashby has been honored as one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, Diversity Woman Media Class of 2022 Elite 100 Black Women Leaders, the top rank in City & State PA’s Impact 50 list (2022), National Diversity Council Top 100 HR Professionals (2021), Diversity Global Top 10 Influential Women in Diversity (2020), Uptown Professional Top 100 Executives in America, and the National Diversity Council Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Oil and Gas.

Ms. Ashby is a member of the International Women’s Forum and the American Bar Association. She earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law and dual bachelor’s degrees in English and psychology from the University of Michigan.