March 22, 2022

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Ashley Blake, president and general counsel at Bridgeford Trust Co.

Name: Ashley Blake

Age: 35

Hometown: Sioux Falls

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I was raised in Sioux Falls. I received my undergrad degree from Harvard University and then spent some time living and working overseas before coming back home to study for and take the LSAT.  While studying for the LSAT, I met my husband, Chris Prendergast, COO and partner at Click Rain + Lemonly, and we were quickly engaged. I had received a full scholarship for law school in-state at USD, our families are both from Sioux Falls, and I wanted to be in the trust field, so staying in-state made sense for our family.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

I love Sioux Falls! It is particularly exciting to see the growth of our city and the revitalization of downtown. I love all the restaurants in the city and how we now have some big-city amenities but still all the wonderful small-city charm. I think it’s the best of both worlds. Sioux Falls is also now a global trust industry hub.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Delivering results for our clients that allow them to have custom-fit solutions while maintaining the levels of direction and control appropriate for their long-term wealth and estate planning needs. Every day I get to work with other attorneys, accountants and wealth management professionals across the nation and around the world to find the best solutions for our clients. I love working towards a common goal as part of the client’s trusted team.

How did you get connected to your industry?

South Dakota is known for its trust industry, and I knew in law school I would be going into trust law. I was formerly a trust and trust company attorney at Davenport Evans for multiple years before joining the Bridgeford team. I had worked with Bridgeford for my whole legal career, so it was a natural and great fit for both sides.

Describe Bridgeford Trust in three words.

Entrepreneurial, nimble, creative.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I competed competitively in powerlifting in high school. In case you were wondering, my best lifts were my dead lift and squat, but my bench was my weakest. I still like to lift when I can squeeze it in.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I love supporting small businesses in every way possible, especially given the impact that the last two years had on many.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Trader Joe’s! Can we please make this happen?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Leading an ever-growing team of talented professionals in Bridgeford’s South Dakota offices and artfully and effectively serving the needs of our many clients all over the country and globe.