Ashley Bouder was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and began her ballet training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under the direction of Marcia Dale Weary. After attending the School of American for a year, Ms. Bouder joined the New York City Ballet in 2000. She was promoted to principal dancer in 2005 and remained with the company until 2025.

Ms. Bouder has danced in ballet galas around the world and guest starred in companies including the Paris Opera Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet, Bayerisches Staatsballett, and the Mariinsky Ballet. She has been awarded Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise at the School of American Ballet as a student. As a professional her awards include the Janice Levin Honoree from the New York City Ballet, the Miss Expressivity for 2011 and the Miss Virtuosity for 2013 from the Dance Open Gala, the 2019 Benois de la Danse, and the Award for Artistic Excellence from the Borough of Manhattan Community College for her work in promoting gender equality in the ballet world.

As the founder and artistic director of the arts collaborative Ashley Bouder Project, Ms. Bouder works to promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion in creative leadership roles within the dance world. Her previous choreographic work has been presented at the School of American Ballet Choreographic Workshop, the New York City Ballet, Peter Norton Symphony Space, Bryant Park Presents, and the Joyce Theater.

As a master teacher, Ms. Bouder has taught at prestigious schools around the U.S. including School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet School, City Ballet of San Diego, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School NY, and Ballet Academy East. She has also held master classes throughout Italy.

Ms. Bouder holds a B.A. in Organizational Leadership and Political Science from Fordham University.