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As the vice dean for administration, Leslie oversees day-to-day operations at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design, including admissions, computing, faculty affairs, finance, and student services. She is known for her values-driven leadership style, commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, down-to-earth demeanor, and ability to build consensus among a variety of stakeholders. As the Dean’s chief of staff, Leslie works closely with the dean and members of the faculty and staff to chart the School’s strategic direction and implement inter-departmental and cross-school initiatives. Working in partnership with the dean, Leslie has helped the Weitzman School increase its annual operating budget, grow the standing faculty, implement major capital improvements, expand the number of research centers and degree programs, and more than double financial support for students.
Prior to joining the Weitzman School, Leslie spent two decades in public administration and nonprofit management, demonstrating collaborative leadership, successful financial oversight, creative problem solving, and innovation. From 1997 to 2009, Leslie served as managing director for behavioral health services at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), one of the largest nonprofit health and social services organizations in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Prior to PHMC, Leslie served as chief of staff in the New York City Mayor's Office of Medicaid Managed Care, a pioneer program in early healthcare reform.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Leslie has a Master of Public Administration from New York University's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She has served on a variety of citywide behavioral health task forces in Philadelphia and appeared as a presenter at local and national conferences.