Leslie Stevenson

Leslie’s love of learning and keen perspective are the vehicles through which she combines facilitation, coaching and consulting skills to lead Ignite clients through the process of achieving their fundraising goals.

Rooted in generations of public and private service, Leslie’s first leadership experience came in the late 1990s when her family founded a church. Since then, her entrepreneurial drive has been the catalyst for taking on new roles including grant writing for Cincinnati Health Department, building strategies for early childhood investment through United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and coordinating multi-sector partnerships to address substance use in Hamilton County through the federal Drug-Free Communities Support Program.

Leslie’s experience in campaign management ranges from private fundraising to political campaigns. In 2017, Leslie became the first African American to run for Norwood City Council. During her term she led the Economic Development and Community Engagement Committee, while also serving as President Pro Tem. Her leadership contributed to new partnerships, including the creation of Norwood Together – a resident-led nonprofit leveraging public and private dollars to invest in infrastructure and community.

Leslie holds an Executive Master of Science from Xavier University and a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Leadership and Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Leslie has been recognized as an emerging leader and is a graduate of the YWCA Rising Star Leadership Development Program in Cincinnati.

Outside of work, Leslie enjoys local restaurants, volunteering, performing arts and time with family and friends. She lives in Downtown Cincinnati.