Event
What Makes an Effective Charitable Board in 2024 and Beyond?
Leslie Smith has helped numerous individuals and organizations achieve their goals. She works with non-profits and educational institutions, helping to define leadership needs and connecting them with the right talent. Along with extensive knowledge of the non-profit sector, she has a passion for strengthening mission-driven organizations and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Professional Focus
- 20 years’ diverse experience in leadership, management and sales
- Specialized expertise in the not-for-profit sector, particularly education, social services, humanitarian and cultural organizations
- Highly skilled in relationship building, collaboration, community engagement, DEIB, training and development, team building, coaching, sales and marketing, project management and entrepreneurship
- Public speaker, facilitator, content creator and newspaper columnist
Business Expertise
- Executive Director of Alumni Engagement at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN
- Alumni Career Support Manager, Campus Operations Manager, and Alumni Data Manager at Noble Network of Charter Schools
- Sales Director at Mary Kay
- Agency Sales Management Assistant and Insurance Agent at American Family Insurance
- Co-Host and Creator of Freedom Girlz Talk
- Internet Sales Support Specialist at AT&T Yellow Pages
- Account Executive at AT&T Advertising & Publishing
- Internship in investment banking at Credit Suisse, London
Additional Expertise
- Social Impact
- Not-for-Profit
- Education
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science from DePauw University
Case Studies
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Strategic Turnaround: A CFO’s Role in Rebuilding Culture and Financial Leadership
Boyden supports a major charter school network with the recruitment of the right CFO to bridge strategy, execution, and collaboration.
A New CEO for a New Chapter
A non-profit addressing food insecurity selected a new CEO experienced in change management to navigate post-pandemic challenges.
Elevating IT Excellence: An Ivy League University’s Search for Top Talent
Thought Leadership
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Articles & Papers
Leadership Series: A Conversation with Dr. Charles Anderson, 2024 Healthcare Innovator of the Year
Recognized as a 2024 Innovator in Healthcare by the Boston Business Journal, Dr. Charles Anderson, President & CEO of The Dimock Center, shares his expertise and vision for transforming healthcare delivery amidst evolving challenges.
Blog
Surviving Work Burnout: Finding Balance in the Daily Grind
Boyden’s Leslie Smith, provides real-world strategies to reclaim balance and well-being amidst the daily grind, emphasizing self-care, boundaries, and proactive steps toward a healthier work environment.
Blog
The High-Stakes Season of Hiring
A clear-eyed look at today’s nonprofit hiring landscape, where heightened risk, talent shortages, and cautious candidates are reshaping how organizations approach retention, recruitment, and long-term workforce strategy.
Blog
Destigmatizing Coaching: A Call to Leaders
Explore how leaders can destigmatize executive coaching by reframing it as a strategic investment in growth, performance, and organizational culture rather than a signal of poor performance.
News & Events
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Event
How Boards Select New Directors - A BlueSteps Webinar featuring Boyden's Karen Kosiba Edwards
In the Media
The $400,000 Chief of Staff Is the CEO’s Secret Weapon in the AI Age
As CEOs navigate the growing complexity of the AI era, demand for chiefs of staff is surging as organizations seek trusted strategic advisors who can help leaders prioritize, execute, and solve critical business challenges.
Contact Leslie Smith today and let's get started