Leslie Petty

Leslie M. Petty, Ed.D., Assistant Dean of the Evening, Executive, and Professional MBA Programs at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Wisconsin School of Business, Madison, WI.

With expertise in academia leadership spanning across multiple disciplines, Dr. Petty’s principal role in developing and implementing strategic initiatives that prepare undergraduate and graduate business students to lead and advance in for-profit and non-profit organizations, government sector, and entrepreneurial opportunities. This includes curricular development and management, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across organizational culture, Gallup strengths-based teambuilding and leadership coaching, organizational leadership development, alumni engagement, and international studies. She has taught developing high-performing teams course and strategic entrepreneurship workshops to Executive MBA students for the past five years. And, in partnership with faculty, administrators, and senior leadership, Dr. Petty is instrumental in developing and integrating diversity and inclusion in the core curriculum and co-curricular seminars in the Evening and Executive MBA programs at the Wisconsin School of Business. This is a signature academic initiative that ensures equity, diversity, and inclusion content are part of the curriculum and co-curricular programs in graduate business education.

In October 2020, Dr. Petty received the 2020 Outstanding Women of Color at the University of Wisconsin – Madison for her work to provide educational and other essential resources to low-income residents in the community.

Dr. Petty is committed to making a difference in the community. She serves as the Chair for the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County Board of Directors and Past Chair of the Education Committee. The passion and need to make a positive, long-lasting difference is rooted across all aspects of her life.

She also serves as the President of TEMPO Madison Board of Directors and Past-President of TEMPO Madison Foundation Board of Directors.

Every Sunday morning, she enjoys teaching 5th graders religious education at St. John’s Baptist Church in Waunakee, WI.

Through building a vision that creates an inclusive and diverse environment and volunteering in our community, among many interests, the ultimate joy of Dr. Petty’s life is her husband, David of 22 years, and their two sons – David Jr. (Waunakee High School Senior), age 17 and Christopher (Waunakee Intermediate 6th grader), age 12. The family enjoys traveling and greatly appreciates the kind of community that values an inclusive environment and mission-driven initiatives for the overall greater good of everyone.