Her Story
About Leslie
Leslie Velasquez serves as Principal Accountant for the City of Fresno in California, where she has been responsible for debt and investment management since June 2025. She brings more than 20 years of accounting experience to her role, having advanced from clerical positions to her current leadership position. Throughout her career, she has developed expertise in accounting operations, financial reporting, account reconciliation, information systems, and month-end closing processes. Prior to joining the City of Fresno, Velasquez spent nearly nine years as an Accountant at Caltech, following earlier positions as an Accounting Coordinator at Orange County Produce LLC, an Accounts Payable Specialist at Custom Alloy Light Metals, and a Collections Representative at OJ Insulation and Fireplaces. Her professional focus includes leveraging artificial intelligence to modernize accounting processes, improve efficiency, and support more effective financial management.
Velasquez earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems from California State University, Los Angeles, in 2024. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the same institution, which she completed in 2011. Combining her extensive accounting experience with her interest in technology, she is focused on identifying innovative ways to integrate AI into accounting systems and enhance financial operations. She is currently pursuing Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure to further strengthen her professional qualifications and expand her expertise in the accounting field. Her career progression reflects her commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and taking on greater responsibilities within the public and private sectors.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Velasquez has volunteered with the Diaz Family Foundation since 2023, supporting initiatives that provide healthcare and therapy to children with disabilities in Mexico and scholarships for first-generation students in Fresno. She attributes her success to the strong, hardworking women in her family, including her grandmothers, mother, and aunts, who instilled in her the belief that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. Guided by the golden rule of treating others with respect, she values integrity, authenticity, and compassion in both her professional and personal life. Her advice to young women entering government is to remain true to themselves, embrace their leadership potential, and prioritize the well-being of their teams while fostering a respectful and supportive work environment.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Leslie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong, hardworking women in my family, particularly my grandmothers, mother, and aunts. Their resilience, determination, and example shaped my values and taught me the importance of perseverance and self-belief. Although I did not have a strong grandfather or father figure growing up, the women in my family provided the strength, guidance, and encouragement that helped fill that gap. They instilled in me the confidence to believe that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, and their influence continues to inspire me throughout my personal and professional journey.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from one of my undergraduate professors, who encouraged me to pay for my bachelor's degree but find an employer willing to finance my master's degree. I worked hard to complete my undergraduate education through grants and student loans, and I took her advice to heart. When the opportunity came, I pursued my MBA with employer support. That advice taught me the importance of being strategic about educational investments, taking advantage of available opportunities, and allowing employers to support continued professional development.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the government sector is to always remain true to yourself and never feel pressured to change who you are to fit into your environment. Government can be very different from the corporate world, particularly because it is often a male-dominated industry. I believe effective leadership starts with putting others first, supporting your team, and making sure people feel valued, comfortable, and happy in their roles. As a leader, do what you can to address challenges, encourage others, and create a positive work environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to succeed.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe one of the biggest challenges in accounting today is the industry's transition toward automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced information systems. Accounting is not a dying profession; rather, it is evolving, with technology changing how financial work is performed and increasing the importance of technology-driven expertise. This is one of the reasons I pursued an MBA with a concentration in Information Systems, as I recognize that technology will play an increasingly significant role in the future of accounting. AI and accounting software present tremendous opportunities to improve efficiency and support accounting professionals, particularly those in leadership positions. However, the industry is also facing challenges as experienced accountants approach retirement, creating a need to attract and develop new talent. I believe we must do a better job of demonstrating that accounting requires specialized knowledge and expertise, while encouraging the next generation to recognize the opportunities available in the field. Ultimately, the challenge is not that accounting is disappearing, but that the profession is changing, and we must adapt and prepare for its future.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value I live by, both professionally and personally, is the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. This is something my mother instilled in me, and it has guided how I interact with people throughout my life. I strongly believe that treating others with kindness and respect encourages them to reciprocate those same values. Respect must be earned through the way we treat others, and I believe it begins with our own actions and accountability. I strive to bring this principle into my workplace and personal relationships, and I make a conscious effort to instill the same values in my daughter.
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