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Start Here / Never Stop Podcast: Leah Ashburn ’92

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Alumna Leah Ashburn ’92 is a second-generation family owner of Highland Brewing Company and serves as its CEO and president. 

Highland is the largest brewery native to North Carolina, the largest family-owned brewery in the Southeast and Asheville’s first brewery since Prohibition. Ashburn’s father, Oscar Wong, founded it in 1994. Asheville is now a craft beer destination and home to more than 30 breweries.

Ashburn joined the brewery in 2011 after working in educational sales. She moved from sales to marketing to administrative leadership. As president since 2015, Ashburn has guided Highland’s brand refresh.

Her current board service includes the Asheville Chamber, the Buncombe County Tourism Authority and RiverLink.

Ashburn is married to Brock Ashburn, Highland’s engineer and vice president of operations. Leah Ashburn is also a stepmother to two young women.

Check out more Start Here / Never Stop Podcast episodes at mj.unc.edu/SHNSPodcast.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

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