Leslie Nagao
Chief Marketing Officer
Leslie Nagao is an accomplished executive and strategic leader with an extensive record of driving growth and enhancing operational excellence within global and national mission-driven organizations. Previously serving as the Global Chief Marketing Officer at the Urban Land Institute in Washington, DC, Leslie spearheaded initiatives that elevate member engagement and amplify the organization's mission and impact.
Leslie consistently develops and implements robust strategies that foster sustainable growth and align cross-functional teams with organizational goals. Leading a team of 40, she oversees initiatives that generate $35 million in annual revenue, driving strategic alignment and operational efficiency. Driven by a commitment to helping others reach their potential, Leslie finds inspiration in leading and mentoring teams to foster professional growth.
Throughout her career, Leslie has proven exceptional strategic planning and resource management ability. She thrives in early day and newly formed organizations that need support in setting up strategic framing, innovative programming, operational processes, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Excelling in organizational resource design, she ensures that teams are structured and equipped to meet strategic goals.
A passionate advocate for impactful storytelling, Leslie uses public relations and media outreach to amplify organizations' missions, enhance their thought leadership, and raise awareness of their societal contributions. She is adept at cultivating influential relationships with stakeholders at all levels, ensuring strategic alignment with the organization's vision and goals. Before her current role, Leslie served as Senior Vice President of Membership & Marketing at the Urban Land Institute, where she significantly enhanced member retention and engagement through innovative marketing strategies. Her experience as a Senior Marketing Strategist Consultant at McKinley Marketing Partners further honed her ability, guiding significant clients, including ExxonMobil, on high-impact initiatives that generated substantial revenue and strengthened market positioning. Notable accomplishments include designing a US consumer retail fuel strategy and go-to-market plan and launching Plenti, American Express' US coalition loyalty program. Leslie also oversaw the brand and marketing strategies for AARP's 37MM membership base. She has also held marketing positions at Time Warner and various leading Brand and Marketing Agencies under the WWP holding company, the world's largest advertising and marketing services company.
Beyond her professional achievements, Leslie is dedicated to animal welfare and actively supports animal rescue organizations. She believes in community engagement and compassion for all living beings.
Leslie holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia.