Biography

On February 2, 2009, Leslie Lilly became President and CEO of The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, serving as as the second President and CEO in the Community Foundation’s history. A Florida native, Leslie returned to her home state in October 2007 to serve as Vice President for Programs at the Community Foundation. During her tenure she was instrumental in the development of several initiatives, including the affordable housing initiative funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fund at the Community Foundation and the Digital Public Square Initiative, a user-driven, interactive website designed to serve as a virtual public square for Palm Beach County, supported by a civic leadership grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. She has helped raise more than $1 million in program grants; managed over $5 million in annual grant distributions and partnered with area nonprofits to address critical social and economic issues facing Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Leslie served as founding President and CEO of The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) from 1999 to 2007, which served 29 counties throughout Appalachian Ohio. She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation for the Mid South, a highly successful three-state community foundation serving Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Leslie is an acknowledged and accomplished state and national leader, author and spokesperson in the field of philanthropy.