As principal, Leslie believes that a successful public relations campaign essentially relies on two things: telling a good story and cultivating solid relationships—with clients, the media, and the public.
As a published writer, speaker, and communications pro, Leslie has helped hundreds of individuals and organizations create, polish, and promote their images to a wide range of media with placements in national and local radio, TV, and print publications, including NPR, C-SPAN, MSNBC, Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Parade, and others. She’s also achieved major online media hits. In addition to her work with corporations and nonprofits, Leslie has written for many outlets including The New York Times, Woman’s Day, and the Chicago Tribune. Her journalism background gives Leslie a reporter’s perspective that enhances her abilities to promote clients in the best ways possible.
As an author, Leslie brings a range of experience and broad knowledge of the ever-changing publishing industry. Her three nonfiction books include Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home? Simple Advice for Settling In After You Move (McGraw-Hill), Ice Cream for Breakfast: If You Follow All the Rules, You Miss Half the Fun (McGraw-Hill), and Wish It, Dream It, Do It: Turn the Life You’re Living into the Life You Want (Simon & Schuster). She’s appeared on a variety of shows, including the Today Show, CBS’ The Early Show, Fox News, and many others. Her work has been cited in many outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Marie Claire, Kansas City Star, and The New York Times.
In the past, Leslie has volunteered at the Il Holocaust Museum and in the magnificent greenhouses at the Chicago Botanic Garden. She’s taught writing and public relations and lectured extensively for various programs sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Writers’ Institute, School of the Arts in Rhinelander, Write-By-The-Lake Retreat), Rancho LaPuerta, The Heartland Spa, Chicago Tribune Printer’s Row, The Learning Annex, American Society of Journalists & Authors, Lake Austin Spa Resort, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Off-Campus Writers‘ Workshop, The American Club, Illinois State Library, Harper College, Oakton Community College, and others, including schools and libraries. These days, Leslie watches over her two pups, Eddie & Frankie, works on fiction, and like a bazillion others is working hard to improve her pickle ball game.
Leslie earned her B.A. in English/Humanities from Ohio Wesleyan University, an M.S. in technical writing from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an M.B.A. in marketing from Marymount University. She also spent time as a substitute teacher, but basically her school days are over. Still, whenever Leslie is asked to speak to students she is delighted though walking through the halls of any high school makes her nervous.