Leslie Pendergrast
As an executive coach and thought leader, Leslie works with business leaders who know they are capable of more, yet feel constrained by pressure, complexity, or long-held assumptions. Her work shifts the way leaders see themselves and their role, replacing limitation with clarity and optimism, and strengthening their ability to lead with authenticity and intention.
Throughout her career, she has partnered with CEOs and executive teams to support organizations through periods of rapid scale, transformation, and high-stakes decision-making, while keeping people, culture, and values at the center of the work.
Her perspective bridges the strategic demands of business growth with a deep respect for the human experience behind it.
A philosophy rooted in clarity and grounded optimism
Leslie brings a steady, thoughtful presence to her work. She combines clear, logical thinking with energy, optimism, and deep respect for people. Her approach balances strategy with reflection, decisiveness with empathy, and growth with groundedness.
Leaders are drawn to her ability to hold complexity without urgency, creating space for clarity, confidence, and meaningful progress to emerge.
A career shaped by leading through growth and change
Leslie’s career has been shaped by guiding high-growth technology companies through pivotal moments — rapid expansion, IPO preparation, and multi-billion-dollar acquisitions.
- As Chief People Officer, she guided organizations through IPO readiness and landmark acquisitions, including a $1.2B sale to Oracle and a $2.7B acquisition by Cisco.
- At Citrix she helped spearhead the company’s growth from less than $50M in revenue to a $1B global enterprise with close to 4,000 employees.
- Her career includes executive leadership roles in high-growth technology companies, along with foundational experience at American Express and JCPenney.
- She is the author of The CEO’s Catalyst, distilling decades of executive leadership experience into practical principles for leading with clarity, purpose, and authenticity.
The CEO’s Catalyst
Leslie’s book, The CEO’s Catalyst, reflects her lived experience. It looks at how some of the most meaningful leadership breakthroughs often emerge from unexpected places.
Told through story, it captures her approach to leadership and mindset, and explores how leaders can reconnect with clarity, optimism, and self-trust.
Through small but meaningful internal shifts, the book illustrates how leaders can begin to show up differently, make more intentional decisions, and lead others with greater confidence and authenticity. It invites leaders to slow down, reframe thinking, and recognize how attention to the human side of leadership shapes outcomes for both organizations and the people within them.
“What made Leslie an exceptional leader was not that she had all the answers, but that she invested the time to help others find their own. She gave people room to experiment, to make mistakes, and to grow, building confidence through trust, transparency, and candor. Today, as a Chief People Officer myself, I still draw on many of the lessons I learned from Leslie. Her influence extends far beyond HR expertise; she demonstrated what it means to be a true business leader whose credibility is earned through integrity, judgment, and an unwavering commitment to both people and results.”
— Brynn Giacomazzo, Chief People Officer
Connect with Leslie
If you’re interested in working with Leslie, have a question about The CEO’s Catalyst, or would like to explore speaking opportunities, Leslie would love to connect.
Please note: Leslie is not currently accepting new clients, but you’re welcome to get in touch. She’ll reach out when new availability opens up.