Leslie Black Sullivan was raised in New York and spent 25 years in the investment business. She began her career on Wall Street in the International Departments of Bear Stearns and Smith Barney in New York City. She then served as a Vice President at First Asset Management, a division of U.S. Bank, and then as a Vice President at American Express Asset Management in Minneapolis (Institutional Money Management), before becoming the Managing Director of Okabena Advisors, a money management division of the Dayton family investment office serving non-profit organizations.  

Leslie’s interests include the arts and humanities, animal rights, travel, cooking and outdoor activities.  In addition to the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, she is on the boards of the Morgan Horse Farm, Cold Hollow Sculpture Park, and the Leadership Council of the University of Vermont Foundation. She has served on the board of Burlington City Arts and the Humane Society of Chittenden County. Before moving to Vermont, Leslie served on the boards of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, the Bridges to Learning Foundation (supporting school children in Vietnam) and Artspace, a national real estate developer of affordable housing and workspaces for artists. She was on the Finance Committee for the Center for Victims of Torture where she also mentored a young Ethiopian refugee. She was an Adaptive Downhill Ski Instructor for the Courage Center, and taught underprivileged adults at Twin Cities Rise.

Leslie is a graduate of the University of Vermont and was delighted to return to Burlington in 2012 when her husband, Tom, became the President of UVM where he served until 2019. Leslie also holds an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance from the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs at Fordham University. She loves living in Vermont and enjoys outdoor activities including biking, hiking, skiing, golf, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Sully.