Rachel Leslie, Chief External Relations Officer
Dottie King, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College named Rachel Leslie as chief external relations officer at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) effective July 1, 2014. In this senior leadership role, Leslie will serve on the president’s cabinet. She will promote the public image of the College and advance its financial sustainability through building and maintaining of relationships with community leaders, corporations and governmental officials. She will help guide SMWC through the complexity of governmental compliance with federal and state regulations of higher education. In addition, she will help to oversee the implementation of the new Wabash Valley Leadership Institute.
“Rachel brings extensive state government experience to the position as we continue to strengthen our community engagement, corporate and government relationships,” said King. “She is an instrumental leader who knows the intricacies of those areas and will create growth opportunities for the College in this expanded role.”
Leslie looks forward to working closely with local community leaders and state and national delegates to direct a comprehensive government relations, public policy and community engagement strategy for the College.
“I believe SMWC is best positioned today with liberal arts education, academic rigor and competitive athletic and extracurricular programming matched with an inspirational setting; creating an environment for a successful workforce for the state of Indiana and beyond,” said Leslie. “I am proud to join the senior leadership team and develop key initiatives that will move SMWC to the next level – aspiring higher.”
In her previous position at the College, Leslie served as the associate vice president for advancement where she supported advancement efforts of the College in alumnae/i relations, annual giving, major and planned giving, grants development, donor stewardship, research and data management. She managed comprehensive advancement programs with the goal of increasing philanthropic support.
Prior to her role at the College, she held several leadership positions at the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce including vice president and interim president.
Leslie earned her Master of Leadership Development degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and her bachelor’s degree in speech communication, public relations and journalism from Indiana State University. Additionally, she earned the Institute of Organization Management certification, from the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Madison, WI.