Leslie McBride
Leslie McBride is a U.S. Army leader with 19 years of distinguished service and currently serves as the Regional Marketing Operations Manager for the U.S. Army Western Region Marketing Office. She is also the founder and owner of Whiskey Is My Yoga LLC, a platform dedicated to whiskey education, culture, and community.
During her Army career, Leslie made history as the first woman Commander in 3-15 Infantry and later served in key leadership roles such as Deputy Support Operations Officer and Project Manager. She is a Bronze Star recipient, and her marketing leadership has earned her nine international marketing awards, including a Shorty Award. She has partnered with internationally recognized brands such as Paramount, NBC Universal, the NCAA, and the Tournament of Roses, among others, leading high-impact campaigns and large-scale creative initiatives.
She holds a Master’s degree in Operational Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, a Master of Arts in Transportation Policy and Operational Logistics from George Mason University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Security and Intelligence from The Ohio State University.
Through Whiskey Is My Yoga LLC, Leslie creates educational content, tasting guides, and distillery insights for whiskey lovers of all levels. She is a Bourbon Women SIP Scholar, an Executive Bourbon Steward, and has blended two whiskey releases in Kentucky, further establishing her credibility and influence within the whiskey industry.
Leslie is known for her leadership, professionalism, and mentorship, consistently bringing integrity, vision, and a collaborative spirit to every role. Whether optimizing marketing operations, leading high-performing teams, partnering with major brands, or engaging a vibrant whiskey community, she applies her strengths in operational management, digital storytelling, and strategic communication to drive meaningful impact.
Her career reflects a unique blend of military excellence, award-winning marketing expertise, and creative entrepreneurship—uniting passion, education, and community in everything she builds.
• U.S. Army Command and General Staff College - MA
• Shorty Award - Government & Politics
What do you attribute your success to?
She attributes her success to her relentless drive, genuine passion for marketing, and the creativity and curiosity she brings to every challenge. As a marketing officer in the U.S. Army for 19 years, she discovered how much she loves blending strategy, storytelling, and operations. She’s fueled by helping others succeed and works every day to make a meaningful difference in the lives and careers of the people around her.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to follow your passion boldly and give your absolute best—even in the roles that don’t excite you. Every job has purpose, every task builds character, and every moment is a chance to grow yourself and others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice I can give any woman is this: never trade your identity to fit someone else’s mold. You don’t need to mirror men to rise—you can succeed powerfully, unapologetically, and entirely as yourself. Your authenticity is your superpower.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in marketing is the fear of failure. Too many teams play it safe, relying only on upper-funnel tactics because they are predictable. But safe doesn’t always win. True impact comes from trusting the research, embracing a full-funnel strategy, and having the courage to get creative. The commercial with the cute puppy might make people smile—but that doesn’t mean it will bring in new customers.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that anchor my professional and personal life are loyalty, creativity, and competence. And as my mother always reminded me, a lady always knows when it’s time to leave. It’s a graceful truth—honor your worth, trust your intuition, and never be afraid to step away when a chapter no longer serves you.