Leslie McKesson

Senior Director of Community Engagement | The Industrial Commons

Leslie is Senior Director of Community Engagement for The Industrial Commons. She co-leads the Hometown Walkabout and Common Ground initiatives. With an undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and masters, education specialist, and doctoral degrees from Appalachian State University, she has over 30 years of experience as a college and university instructor and education administrator. Leslie currently serves as a commissioner for the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission and as a member of the Board of Directors for the North Caroliniana Society. She is committed to the work of racial equity and social justice and looks forward to forming meaningful collaborations to bring positive transformation to the region. She is married, with four adult children and fourteen grandchildren.