Journey Payroll & HR leader Ashlee Faulkner named a 2026 ColoradoBiz Top Woman

Ashlee Faulkner, Chief Heart Officer and shareholder at Fort Collins-based Journey Payroll & HR, was named a 2026 honoree in ColoradoBiz magazine’s Top Women in Colorado Business program. The recognition spotlights her 14-year role at the company and adds to a big year for Journey after CEO Kevin Welch was named a ColoradoBiz Icon.

Why it matters: - The recognition puts Journey Payroll & HR leadership in the spotlight as ColoradoBiz highlights women who are shaping business, community impact and professional excellence across the state. - Faulkner’s honor also underscores the role culture and employee support can play in a payroll and HR business that serves small and mid-sized employers nationwide. - The award adds external validation to a 14-year career at Journey built around leadership, engagement and team development.

What happened: - ColoradoBiz magazine named Ashlee Faulkner a 2026 honoree in its Top Women in Colorado Business program. - Faulkner serves as Chief Heart Officer and shareholder at Journey Payroll & HR, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. - ColoradoBiz will celebrate honorees at a gala and feature them in its quarterly magazine. - Faulkner called the recognition deeply meaningful, saying: "To be named among Colorado's top women in business means more than I can express. When you genuinely love what you do and who you do it with, showing up with heart is the easy part."

The details: - Journey Payroll & HR serves thousands of small and mid-sized employers across the country through a locally owned franchise model. - The company was founded in 2010 by Kevin Welch. - Faulkner has been central to Journey’s culture standard for 14 years. - As Chief Heart Officer, Faulkner oversees culture, wellbeing and professional development for Journey’s team. - Her responsibilities include leadership support, employee engagement and operational culture. - Faulkner previously spent five years in the health insurance industry, working with individuals and groups on coverage solutions. - During her time at Journey, Faulkner has received Heart Awards, MVP Awards and sales recognition. - ColoradoBiz said the Top Women in Colorado Business program honors executives, business owners and entrepreneurs for contributions to their profession, their communities and society at large. - The 2026 recognition is Faulkner’s first major external honor. - Journey said the award places Faulkner among an elite group of Colorado women leaders recognized for professional excellence and community impact.

Between the lines: - The recognition reflects a broader narrative inside Journey: leadership is being defined by company standards and daily behavior, not just titles. - Faulkner’s background in people-centered service aligns with a role built around internal culture and external client experience. - Journey also noted that Kevin Welch was named a 2026 ColoradoBiz Icon earlier this year, making the company one of the few Colorado businesses with two leaders recognized by ColoradoBiz in the same year. - That combination suggests ColoradoBiz is seeing Journey as both a business performer and a leadership culture story.

What's next: - Faulkner will be honored alongside the rest of the 2026 Top Women in Colorado Business class at ColoradoBiz’s gala event. - ColoradoBiz will also feature the honorees in its quarterly magazine. - Journey continues to position itself as a payroll and HR provider for small and mid-sized businesses with payroll, HR, compliance and workforce support services. - The company is offering consultations through JourneyPayrollHR.com.

The bottom line: - Faulkner’s honor highlights a leadership model at Journey Payroll & HR that ties business performance to culture, service and employee development.