Women leaders in Estonia are changing the face of innovation and business in an environment still primarily driven by men. In addition to overcoming difficulties with boldness and recognition, they are promoting collaboration and agility within their companies. Ashley Kozak, Chief Operating Officer NeuroStreet has journeyed with grit, resilience, and transformation.

Ashley had a unique childhood because her family ran a hunting and fishing resort on an isolated island in northern Ontario, Canada. As early as four years old, she started helping her parents with small tasks such as serving coffee to visitors. As she got older, she took on more roles, like cleaning the cabins and overseeing several aspects of the operation. The resorts could only be reached by boat or floatplane. Due to the island's isolation, Ashley was to take responsibility for any tasks that needed to be done and complete them herself. She learned an important lesson: if she didn't get it done, no one else would.

With these life lessons, Ashley went on to have a prosperous career in hotel management, becoming an expert in teamwork, operations, and logistics. In 2018, she entered the fintech industry in response to her brother Sean Kozak's request for assistance in growing NeuroStreet Trading Academy. Ashley's operational expertise transformed the company, helping it grow into a robust trading ecosystem, proving that her early lessons in perseverance had paid off.

Embarking on a distinctive exchange with The Global Women Leader magazine, Ashley divulges the intricate facets of her journey as a prominent leader in Estonia. Let's explore further.

What motivated you to get involved with NeuroStreet, & what are its core ideas & areas of specialization?

In 2018, I started working with my brother Sean Kozak to assist with running NeuroStreet At the time, the company specialized in providing tools and sophisticated trading instruments specifically for retail traders. I later founded two companies Architects Of Algos & Indicators and CryptoStreet.

The obvious lack of education in the trading profession spurred me to get involved. Many traders were purchasing software without any user manuals or training, which left them perplexed and angry. We realized that having a strong educational foundation was crucial, so we concentrated on offering thorough instruction and materials.

What are the key roles & responsibilities that you manage at NeuroStreet?

My primary responsibilities are project management and team leadership. In the beginning, I did everything myself and wore many hats, but as we have expanded, I have focused on building the best team to support me in my ability to delegate.

"In My Perspective, Automation, Artificial Intelligence & Algorithmic Trading Will Become The Main Features Of The Quickly Changing Global Fintech Landscape"

In addition to assigning tasks to ensure timely completion and quality assurance, my responsibilities also involve overseeing the full operation of new projects from the ground up. I focus on building new brands, products, processes, and infrastructure to fuel our expansion.

What major challenges do you face in your current role as a business leader, & how do you navigate these obstacles?

One of the biggest challenges is juggling the duties of managing a fast-growing firm with the obligations of motherhood. I worked alone all the time at first, but appointing an assistant was a significant change. I also hired a nanny to assist me in managing my home and balancing my family and career. It all comes down to creating a solid support network and figuring out how to efficiently integrate personal and professional obligations.

What have been your most significant achievements in your professional journey?

One of my early career achievements was becoming the youngest candidate to be promoted at my first hotel. Another significant turning point came when I was headhunted to oversee a prominent, iconic railway hotel in Canada—an architectural gem resembling a castle, steeped in history.

I was instrumental in growing NeuroStreet from one brand to four, and we recently completed a Series A investment round that enabled us to purchase an innovative trading platform.

In addition, I am thrilled to lead the establishment of a proprietary trading company (PropShopTrader OÜ) in Estonia that emphasizes compliant and sustainable trading practices. This venture has been two years in the making, and I anticipate going live in the coming months.

I also led to the founding of CryptoStreet Academy and Architects Of Algos & Indicators, which aim to close major gaps in the cryptocurrency and algorithmic trading markets.

Which industry trends do you think will have the most significant impact in the future?

One of the trends I see is the emergence of automated trading systems, where AI can handle difficult tasks that previously needed manual effort. Tickblaze is a perfect example. It is a hybrid platform that blends discretionary and strategy trading, and it is the future.

Whether a trader is a novice or a seasoned pro, Tickblaze provides advanced tools to automate their tactics, facilitating faster market navigation. Trading can be solitary, but Tickblaze establishes a community where people with similar interests can work together, exchange knowledge, and encourage one another.

Awards and Recognitions won: Ashley Kozak has been honored with Business Elite's prestigious "40 Under 40" award, recognizing rising business leaders making significant strides in their industries. The award celebrates young executives and entrepreneurs with exceptional leadership, innovation, and determination. It highlights individuals with the potential to shape the future of business and provides networking opportunities with fellow up-and-coming leaders and industry disruptors. This recognition places Ashley among a select group of young professionals poised to make a lasting impact on the global business landscape.

A business leader you admire & why: I admire Gary Vaynerchuk for his relentless work ethic, authenticity, and journey of building success from the ground up, which deeply resonates with my experience working hard in my family business.

Ashley Kozak, Chief Operating Officer, Neurostreet

Ashley holds a diploma in Tourism Management from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, where she developed expertise in tourism and customer services management. As the founder of CryptoStreet, ARC-AI and PropShopTrader OÜ, and the Managing Partner and COO of NeuroStreet and Tickblaze, she is a visionary leader dedicated to operational excellence in the financial and technology sectors.