Leslie started as the ACLU of Kansas Field Director in June of 2022. At the beginning of her career, Leslie was a social worker, advocating alongside families navigating the child welfare system, food insecurity, domestic violence, and homelessness. These experiences gave Leslie an intimate view into how systems can cause harm – and agitated her into becoming an organizer to change those systems.
In 2018, Leslie started working at Planned Parenthood Great Plains, where she was raised as an organizer in the reproductive rights movement. In both the legislature and electoral realms, Leslie led campaigns guided by storytellers and activists to defend reproductive freedom. In 2020, Leslie worked alongside the many volunteers and organizers who secured a victory for the Medicaid expansion ballot measure in Missouri's primary election, and supported a team of organizers as a Regional Organizing Director for Missouri’s statewide coordinated campaign during the general election.
Born and raised in the sunflower state and currently living in Kansas City, Kansas, Leslie has deep love for her home. This love shows up in a commitment to building a better future for Kansas alongside her community.
