Carta’s Post

Meet Ashley Wines. Ashley is the Chief of Staff for the People Team, where she partners closely with the Chief People Officer to lead strategic planning, manage cross-functional initiatives, and drive operational efficiency across the team. Ashley is a fantasy and science fiction fan who typically listens to audiobooks—perfect for reading while walking her dog, commuting, or doing chores. She uses Carta’s book reimbursement policy to help her read more, even when she's on the move. 🎧 One of her favorites? Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries by Safi Bahcall. "Loonshots talks about why 'crazy' ideas—or loonshots—are typically ignored and how an organization’s structure can nurture them, while balancing the needs of the greater business’s success." Why does Ashley recommend it? "I’ve spent years in operations, where much of the work is behind the scenes. This book clearly shows that stability and structure are non-negotiable—it's what makes the biggest, craziest ideas possible. The key lesson for me was that the operational 'soldiers' are the ones who build the 'loonshot nursery' that protects those fragile ideas. It was validating to see that the impact of the full structure, including our daily diligence and process improvements, is just as valued as the innovation itself." At Carta, our book reimbursement policy empowers employees to learn, grow, and explore stories that resonate with them—whatever the genre, topic, or language—and fully reimburses their cost. #LifeAtCarta #BookClub #BookRecommendation