Ashlee Faulkner

Ashlee Faulkner is shareholder and chief heart officer at Journey Payroll & HR, where she has spent 14 years helping shape a people-first culture that supports employees and clients across all 50 states. Beginning her career in client service, she advanced through sales, became president and later a shareholder before stepping into a leadership role focused on employee engagement, workplace culture and client relationships.

Faulkner created Journey’s Heart Recognition program, which celebrates employees for demonstrating compassion, teamwork and service. She also partners with company leadership to provide workshops and resources that support employee growth, well-being and professional development. Her leadership has helped Journey maintain a 98% client retention rate and strong employee retention by reinforcing a culture built on trust, empathy and accountability.

In 2026, Faulkner launched the Client Heart Program, a companywide initiative recognizing employees who support clients during significant life events and business milestones. The program formalized Journey’s long-standing commitment to relationship-based service by encouraging meaningful acts of care and making them a measurable part of the company’s culture.

Faulkner’s leadership is also defined by resilience. During the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout her successful battle with breast cancer, she remained a source of encouragement and support for colleagues while continuing to prioritize the well-being of those around her.

Through mentorship, compassionate leadership and a belief that caring for people drives lasting business success, Faulkner has influenced employees, clients and the communities Journey serves. Her work demonstrates how empathy, accountability and service can strengthen organizations while creating meaningful connections that extend far beyond the workplace.