Portrait by ChiChi Ubiña
YWCA Greenwich will be holding its 6th Annual Women Who Inspire Awards to recognize exceptional women in our community. YWCA Greenwich’s Women Who Inspire Awards was established to recognize and celebrate outstanding women who have excelled in philanthropic, professional, and volunteer pursuits. Importantly, these honorees have enriched the lives of many in our community. This event acknowledges the changes in society that have led to the fluidity of work/life pursuits for women of today.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Leslie Moriarty graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in Mathematics Economics. Several years later, she earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and chose to work in the private sector for 13 years in financial analysis and strategic planning. One of her final projects at W.R. Grace & Co. was a special project for the CEO co-chairing a Corporate-wide Strategic Review. She moved to Baker & Taylor as Vice President of Business Development before deciding to focus her time on her growing family and the Greenwich community.
Leslie quickly got involved at her children’s schools, holding various positions over the next 10 years – nursery school treasurer, Co-President of the North Street School PTA and President of the Greenwich PTA Council. Her interest in education policy and academic performance led her to run for the Greenwich Board of Education in 2005. She held officer positions throughout her eight years on the BOE, including two years as Chair. During her tenure, she led the Board’s development of a magnet program at New Lebanon School, successfully advocated for funding for operating and capital budgets, and modified the BOE strategic planning process to better align priorities and resources. She was an active member of the MISA building committee for construction of Greenwich High School’s new auditorium and music classrooms from conception to completion, which spanned eight years.
After completing two terms on the BOE, she continued her involvement with town government on the RTM and the Board of Estimate and Taxation, on which she still sits. She currently serves as minority caucus leader and is a member of the important Budget Committee. On the BET, she led the effort to modify the debt policy and develop a flexible capital modeling tool so the funding structure to address the large project backlog can be determined. She is a strong advocate for schools, public safety, residents in need, and proper investment in our town’s assets. Leslie’s motivation for public service was inherited from her parents, both immigrants, who modeled hard work, community service, and leading by example.