Leslie Ellen Redmond, Esq, MBA

I attribute my success to my resilience, my ability to adapt across diverse environments, and my unwavering dedication to community work. Staying grounded in purpose, listening deeply, and allowing authenticity to guide my decisions have been central to my growth as both a leader and an advocate.

My passion for advocacy began years ago while working across multiple states to address inequities and support underserved communities. Over time, my journey has taken me through roles as a lawyer, founder, executive director, and consultant. For me, this path has always been more of a calling than a career choice—driven by lived experience, a desire to fight for fairness, and a long-standing commitment to elevating community voices.

My expertise spans community activism, nonprofit leadership, legal advocacy, and organizational development. My work is rooted in justice, healing, and empowering communities to reclaim power through education, remembrance, and action. One of my most meaningful achievements has been leading WinBack, where I oversee large-scale community programs, including the annual Day of Remembrance. Being selected as a Bush Fellow was also a major milestone, validating my dedication to activism and leadership. Across all of my work, I strive to create safe, empowering spaces where history, healing, and community action come together.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from mentors who believed in my potential and encouraged me to embrace leadership roles, even when I doubted myself. I’ve been inspired by individuals who modeled courage and a deep commitment to community, showing me how to lead movements, build impactful programs, and step into spaces where my voice can create meaningful change.

I would encourage young women entering this field to trust their voices, stay rooted in their principles, and never feel pressured to shrink themselves in challenging spaces. Seek out mentors, approach learning fearlessly, and pursue opportunities even when they feel intimidating. I’ve learned that boldness and vulnerability can coexist—and both are essential for doing truly impactful work.

In my work in community activism, nonprofit leadership, and legal advocacy, some of the biggest challenges include burnout, systemic barriers, and the emotional demands of working closely with vulnerable populations. At the same time, these challenges create tremendous opportunities—especially now, as communities increasingly demand justice, visibility, healing, and honest conversations about truth and history. I see great potential for growth in areas such as youth engagement, policy change, coalition-building, and restorative community programming.

Integrity, community responsibility, justice, and compassion are the values that guide both my professional and personal life. I am committed to ensuring that communities feel seen, heard, and supported, and I carry these principles into every program I help create and every initiative I lead.

Outside of work, I find joy in music, creative expression, and spending time with my family. I also enjoy writing and am exploring the possibility of developing a book that weaves together my experiences, advocacy work, and personal reflections. Speaking engagements energize me, and I hope to expand that aspect of my career in the years ahead.

Looking forward, I am excited about growing WinBack’s reach and continuing to build programs that foster community healing. I am also considering expanding my consulting work and stepping more fully into public speaking. Ultimately, my long-term goals include advancing my writing projects and using storytelling as a tool for education, remembrance, and transformation.