Jackson Academy has awarded this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award to Ashley Edmonson Willson ’87. The award is presented annually to an alumna or alumnus leading a life of purpose and significance through professional achievement, service to the community, or loyalty to JA. Eligible nominees are JA graduates who have been an alumna or alumnus for at least 10 years before being nominated for the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Willson is a Jackson-based partner with the national healthcare practice of KPMG LLP. She serves as the Jackson office managing partner. She also represents the Jackson office as partner leader on the MidSouth Business Unit Operations Committee. She maintains active memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
Willson is the fourth recipient of JA’s Distinguished Alumni of the Year award, first awarded in 2020. JA’s first recipient was Phillip Bowman, ’86, followed by Calvin Thigpen, M.D., ’94, and Meredith Travelstead, M.D., 1989. The Distinguished Alumni of the Year recipient makes a presentation to the senior class at its annual awards night dinner. Willson spoke on April 24 at The South in Jackson.
During her presentation, she recalled the beginning of her education when she walked into the JA Preschool building holding her mother’s hand. She contrasted that to another memory: the day she walked her first child into the JA Preschool. She and her husband, Mark, have three children, all JA graduates. Although her children have moved on to college and adult life, Willson is still very involved behind the scenes, ensuring JA’s continued success. She volunteers in various school areas regularly.
While juggling a very demanding career and motherhood, her service to JA remained exceptional and is one of the factors that influenced her nominator and the selection committee. “While her three children were students, Ashley Willson practically lived at Jackson Academy,” wrote her nominator. “She would volunteer wherever and whenever needed, whether it meant popping popcorn in the basketball concession stand or serving Dray’s, Turner’s, and Annalee’s graduating classes in senior class treasurer and grade chair roles, coordinating everything from senior trip details to treat days and Grad Night for each of them.”
Willson is a past chairperson of the Jackson Academy Board of Trustees and one of the school’s longest-serving board members. “Perhaps her most significant investment in the JA community is found in her years of serving on the board of trustees, culminating with her willingness to serve as chair. Our trustees are charged with making big decisions on behalf of the school, and she served during a time that saw changes in leadership and other significant advancements,” her nominator noted.
In addition to serving on the JA Board of Trustees from 2006-2019, during which time she was chairperson, treasurer, and finance committee chair, she maintained volunteer positions at other institutions. She has been a Mississippi State University School of Accountancy advisory council member, Junior Achievement of Mississippi board member, Peru Mission team member for seven years, Meals on Wheels volunteer, CUMC food pantry volunteer, CUMC D-Group leader, Early Childhood Investment Council member, MCM Partners treasurer, CUMC nursery coordinator, Debutante Mothers Club treasurer, Sigma Chi Eta Chapter Parents Club treasurer, Goodwill Industries GIVS member, and Mississippi Children’s Museum Partners former finance chair.
The Mississippi Business Journal recognized Willson in the Top 40 Under 40, Class of 2004; 50 Leading Business Women, Class of 2005; and Top CEOs in Mississippi, Class of 2023.
During her remarks, Willson brought to the seniors’ attention Jackson Academy’s mission statement. She pointed out that each word was very carefully and prayerfully chosen. Her favorite part is the line, “to lead a life of purpose and significance.” She encouraged students to live a life that matters.
Using Luke 12:48, which says to whom much is given, much will be required, she reminded students that people are accountable for the resources they have received. Her prayer is that students will be faithful to that and live lives encouraging others, being kind, thankful, and giving generously.
