About the Speaker
Dr. Leslie Smith is an educational consultant and an inspiring keynote presenter. Serving as a strategic partner, she advises and supports private school leaders across the country in organizational leadership, growth strategy, brand development, and social emotional literacy to strengthen school culture and develop high-performing collaborative teams. Currently, Dr. Smith also serves as national program director and instructor for Principal 360, an innovative leadership development training program powered by the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF).
A life-long learner and dedicated private school educator for over 35 years, Dr. Smith is widely recognized for her research and visionary perspective. Her inspiring transformational leadership style and focus on health and well-being continue to lead change in today’s dynamic educational landscape. In 2016, Dr. Smith was presented with the Growing Leaders Award at the National Leadership Forum in Atlanta for her work in cultivating a leadership culture at Orange Lutheran High School in Southern California where she served as Principal and Head of School for 12 years. During that time, Dr. Smith was named Administrator of the Year for the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in recognition of her exemplary leadership, strong Christian witness, and servant heart. Prior to her role at the largest Lutheran High School in the nation, Dr. Smith served as Principal for seven years at Red Hill Lutheran School in Tustin, California, where her leadership grew enrollment and transformed campus culture leading to dual accreditation and a strong community reputation.
In 2018, Dr. Smith earned a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University’s School of Psychology and Education. Her dissertation analyzed the relationship between mindset and psychological well-being among high achieving, college-bound students attending private, Christian high schools in Orange County, California. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, K-12, as well as a professional clear multiple subject teaching credential.
