Leslye Almonte
I've been in marketing for 12 years and have been a direct consultant for the past 2 years. I partner with smaller big businesses, primarily nonprofits, because I believe passion behind my work is important. I love helping nonprofits that serve low-income families in particular. My skills are very transferable when it comes to nonprofit work, whether it be grant proposals, grant writing, or finding connectivity between organizations. I've had a great career at really large companies with stability, and I even came from a six-figure salary, but I quit my job because I realized that money doesn't always speak and that's not really always the path to happiness. Sometimes a change that you made is worth way more than dollars. In the last two years where I've been my own boss, I've realized that I do miss the structure of having a bigger team, and I'm really in search for my forever company - one whose mission really aligns with my personal values and whose workflow matches my work ethic. I'm very selective about who I work with because I don't believe in taking someone's money if I know I'm not going to do the most and optimize that dollar amount. Transparency is key, and reputation is everything in marketing.
• College Graduate
• Speaking to college students
• Speaking to high school students
What do you attribute your success to?
I’m very selective about who I work with. I don’t believe in taking someone’s money if I know I’m not going to maximize the impact of that investment—anything less, in my view, borders on dishonesty. Transparency is everything in marketing, and reputation is what ultimately sustains a career.
If people walk away saying you were honest with them—even when the answer was that something wouldn’t work—that trust travels. Word of mouth built on integrity is more powerful than any campaign.
I also believe in always remaining a student of the craft. Marketing evolves constantly, especially with technology, and I make it a priority to keep sharpening my skills. If opportunities aren’t available, I create them myself. Staying curious and continuously practicing the work keeps you sharp.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Focus on mastery, not titles.
If you become truly skilled at what you do, opportunities will follow. Early in my career I realized that investing in the craft—learning how businesses actually grow, understanding people, and studying behavior—was far more valuable than chasing positions.
When you build real expertise, you don’t have to convince people of your value. Your work speaks for you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay adaptable without losing yourself.
Success requires learning how to navigate different personalities, environments, and challenges. Being adaptable doesn’t mean abandoning who you are—it means growing, observing, and learning how to operate effectively in different situations.
The women who succeed in this industry are the ones who keep learning, stay confident in their perspective, and remain grounded in their values while evolving with the work.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges today is that many companies have lost sight of what marketing actually is. With the rise of new technologies—especially AI—there’s a lot of excitement, but also confusion about how to use these tools without losing brand identity.
Technology should enhance strategy, not replace it. Marketing looks different for every business, and the foundation is always the same: understanding your audience, defining clear KPIs, and building systems that support the brand long term.
When companies focus on that foundation first, technology becomes a powerful amplifier rather than a distraction.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
There are many ways to contribute positively, and I’ve always believed that whatever work we do should ultimately help someone in some way. Sometimes that looks like helping a business grow, and other times it’s sharing insight or information that someone can use to move forward.
Knowing that something I’ve said, built, or contributed has helped someone—even in a small way—is the biggest motivation for me.
Locations
ALTA Marketing
Bay Shore, NY