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Leslie grew up in Maryland and spent weekends and family vacations learning to love the outdoors while hiking, camping and visiting national parks with her family. After earning a Bachelors in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, she enjoyed two internships at Disney’s Animal Kingdom teaching families about wildlife and conservation both at the theme park and at local community centers and children’s hospitals. Today she is the program manager for the Disney Conservation Fund philanthropic program that provides funding to global nonprofit organizations working with communities to save wildlife and habitats. In her role, she supports program and relationship management, communications and engagement, impact evaluation, budgeting, event planning, and campaign and synergy opportunities to amplify conservation impact. Leslie also holds a Masters in Environmental Education from University of Wisconsin, Steven’s Point and a certificate in Community and Economic Development from Penn State University.