Leslye Salinas is deeply passionate about empowering families of color. Raised in the Bay Area as an immigrant, she has always viewed education as a powerful tool for creating opportunities and making a difference. Her journey through the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of San Francisco sparked her passion for supporting not just students, but entire families. While pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Southern California, Leslye focused on understanding the specific supports newcomer students need to thrive. Today, she is committed to using her knowledge and experience to uplift and empower other women of color, helping them elevate their leadership and impact to create lasting change.

As an educator, Leslye’s focus has been on creating culturally responsive and community-centered school operations that truly meet the needs of the families she serves. Through partnerships with local community-based organizations, Leslye has helped bring a food pantry, laundry room, and resource fairs to the school, offering essential support for families. Outside of her work, Leslye loves spending time with her family and traveling to visit loved ones. As a Leadership Coach, she created her signature program, Unlock Your Inner Leader, now upgraded to Level Up Academy, specifically designed for women of color wanting to level up their leadership. Before launching these programs, Leslye has already supported countless women in her community by connecting them to job opportunities, mentorship, and guidance in both their personal and professional growth.