About Leslie
Leslie Zann is the Founder and CEO of Leslie Zann Consulting – a fundraising consultant, keynote speaker, and writer helping nonprofits grow and people thrive.
Since founding Leslie Zann Consulting in 2012, Leslie has built a reputation as a sought-after speaker and trainer – helping corporate teams and top leaders increase sales, develop leadership, and achieve more than they thought possible. More recently, she has brought those same skills to the nonprofit world – where the ability to build relationships, tell a compelling story, and manage complex projects with precision turns out to be exactly what mission-driven organizations need to grow their impact and fund their work.
On stage, Leslie has presented to more than 100,000 people live and reached hundreds of thousands more through online courses and training programs. The National Speakers Association awarded her the CSP designation – Certified Speaking Professional – held by fewer than 17% of members worldwide.
Leslie was a KPBS Public Television on-air spokesperson for a decade and spent years on the exclusive Inner Fitness Team at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico – consistently voted Best Spa in the World by Travel and Leisure – where she inspired guests to live a life without limits.
Her publications include Grow Rich Thinking, Choose to Be a Champion, and the Amazon #1 Bestseller Outrageous Achievement.
Leslie lives in Prescott, AZ. When she’s not working with nonprofits or speaking on stage, she can be found hiking in the hills, enjoying the local music scene, or spending time with family and friends.
I believe achievement, in any area of your life, is a magical alchemy of courage, potential, and taking right action.
Leslie’s Story
I’ve spent most of my professional life on the road – speaking on sales and leadership, getting on a plane most every Friday to stand in front of a live audience somewhere in North America.
Then Covid changed everything.
When the world went quiet, I made two decisions that would reshape my life. The first was to cut my travel in half and build a practice that didn’t require a different city every week. The second was to finally pursue something that had always tugged at me: nonprofit work.
I’d been volunteering my whole life. Wherever I lived I supported the local food bank and women’s shelter. It was never a question. It was just what I did.
What surprised me was how naturally my skills translated. Fundraising is relationship-building. Grant writing is storytelling with strategy behind it. Running a successful fundraising event is project management with high stakes. I’d been training for this work for decades without knowing it.
It turns out, raising money for causes that genuinely matter is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.
The second big decision was leaving San Diego after years of calling it home and moving to the mountains. In November 2022, I turned a long-held dream into reality and moved to Prescott, AZ – a beautiful mountain town at 5,500 feet, with four seasons, trees everywhere, incredible hiking, a thriving community, and my mom, who is more like a sister than a mom and whose company is simply priceless.
Prescott also happens to be a retirement community. My time here, surrounded by mostly retired people, has expanded my perspective on aging in ways I didn’t expect. That new awareness inspired me to create Inspired Retired – a monthly column, and eventually a series of presentations, for people who refuse to let retirement be an ending.
Because living your best life is not age-specific. It’s a choice.
I believe achievement, in any area of your life, is a magical alchemy of courage, potential, and taking right action.
Leslie’s Story
I’ve spent most of my professional life on the road - speaking on sales and leadership, getting on a plane most every Friday to stand in front of a live audience somewhere in North America.
Then Covid changed everything.
When the world went quiet, I made two decisions that would reshape my life. The first was to cut my travel in half and build a practice that didn’t require a different city every week. The second was to finally pursue something that had always tugged at me: nonprofit work.
I’d been volunteering my whole life. Wherever I lived I supported the local food bank and women’s shelter. It was never a question. It was just what I did.
What surprised me was how naturally my skills translated. Fundraising is relationship-building. Grant writing is storytelling with strategy behind it. Running a successful fundraising event is project management with high stakes. I’d been training for this work for decades without knowing it.
It turns out, raising money for causes that genuinely matter is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.
The second big decision was leaving San Diego after years of calling it home and moving to the mountains. In November 2022, I turned a long-held dream into reality and moved to Prescott, AZ - a beautiful mountain town at 5,500 feet, with four seasons, trees everywhere, incredible hiking, a thriving community, and my mom, who is more like a sister than a mom and whose company is simply priceless.
Prescott also happens to be a retirement community. My time here, surrounded by mostly retired people, has expanded my perspective on aging in ways I didn’t expect. That new awareness inspired me to create Inspired Retired - a monthly column, and eventually a series of presentations, for people who refuse to let retirement be an ending.
Because living your best life is not age-specific. It’s a choice.
Let’s talk about your next event
Interested in scheduling Leslie to speak and inspire to your company, team, or community group? Please submit the inquiry form below. We’ll review your request and get back to you with suggestions of how Leslie can bring Outrageous Achievement to your next event.