Event
What Makes an Effective Charitable Board in 2024 and Beyond?
Leslie Smith
Senior Associate, United States
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.
Strategic Leadership in Crisis: Elevating Communications and Protecting Reputation
Amid a politically sensitive crisis, our client, a major social impact organization, faced significant reputational risks. Lacking a Head of Public & Government Affairs for over three years, they turned to Boyden for urgent strategic communications leadership.
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.
Boyden Report Series
As social impact organisations stir our conscience, where does your organisation stand?
Social Impact Report: Analysing the trends and companies reshaping the role of enterprise in society, with expert insights from Boyden's Global Social Impact Practice Members
Blog
Middle Managers: The Untapped Growth Engine in Mid-Market Firms
Discover why middle managers are the hidden growth drivers in mid-market firms and how investing in their development can unlock strategic execution, team cohesion, and long-term performance.
News & Events
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In the Media
Tim Cook Turned Apple into a $4 Trillion Company by Not Trying to Be Steve Jobs
Tim Cook’s Apple legacy offers a powerful leadership lesson in succession. A Boyden insight on how operational excellence, not imitation, drove $4 trillion in value.
In the Media
What made leaders successful in the past no longer guarantees the future
Global Boyden CEO Chad Hesters explains why leadership success in the past no longer guarantees the future, highlighting adaptability, AI fluency, curiosity, and humility as essential traits for today’s executives.
Contact Leslie Smith today and let's get started