Professor Michael Leslie Bio

Professor Michael Leslie is a distinguished expert in the fields of Leadership and Team Development, Diversity Empowerment, and Organizational Change. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, facilitating effective cross-cultural communication and understanding. With a career spanning decades, Professor Leslie has excelled in Advising, Coaching, Teaching, and Research, demonstrating a commitment to fostering growth and innovation in individuals and organizations alike. His expertise extends to Project Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation, ensuring the successful implementation of transformative initiatives.

Experience

• Executive Director

  • International Opportunities Unlimited (Part-time)
  • May 2021 - Present (2 yrs 5 mos)
  • Worldwide
  • International Opportunities Unlimited is dedicated to unlocking the key to maximizing performance on a global scale.

• Tenured Associate Professor

  • University of Florida
  • Aug 1989 - Present (34 yrs 2 mos)
  • International Coaching, Teaching, Training, Advising, and Research

• President

  • Gemini Advising Inc.
  • Aug 2001 - Present (22 yrs 2 mos)
  • Worldwide
  • Leadership and Team Advising, Coaching, Training, and Research (fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese)

• Leadership Developer

  • Landmark
  • Apr 2014 - Present (9 yrs 6 mos)
  • Worldwide
  • Leadership Training and Development

• International Speaker

  • U.S. State Department
  • Jan 2001 - Jan 2014 (13 yrs 1 mo)
  • Worldwide
  • International and multilingual speaker on media, politics, culture, and society

• Trainer and Seminar Leader

  • SkillPath Seminars
  • Sep 2007 - Sep 2008 (1 yr 1 mo)
  • In-house seminars and workshops on effective communication for large private-sector enterprises nationwide

• Introduction Leader

  • Landmark Education
  • Mar 2007 - Sep 2007 (7 mos)

• Project Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation

  • Academy for Educational Development
  • Jan 2000 - Dec 2005 (6 yrs)
  • Formative and evaluative research on applications of new communications technologies in primary, secondary, and tertiary education

• Diversity Seminar Participant

  • The Poynter Institute
  • 2004 - 2005 (1 yr)

• Fulbright Professor

  • University of Yaounde
  • 1987 - 1989 (2 yrs)
  • Communication Coaching, Teaching, Training, Advising, and Research

• Lecturer

  • University of Zambia
  • 1984 - 1987 (3 yrs)
  • Communication Coaching, Teaching, Training, Advising, and Research

Education

• Universite de Bordeaux - France

  • Political Science, Political Science
  • 1971 - 1972
  • Activities and societies: Improvisational Theater
  • Focus on Europe and Africa (politics, history, and culture)

• Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism

  • M.S.J., Broadcast Journalism
  • 1973 - 1974
  • Focus on effective editing, reporting, and writing

• University of Washington

  • Ph.D., International Communication
  • 1977 - 1983
  • Focus on communication and development in Africa, Asia, and Latin America

• University of California, Berkeley

  • B.A., Political Science
  • 1969 - 1973
  • Focus on international relations

• Instituto de Ciencias, Guadalajara, Mexico

  • Bachiller, International Politics
  • 1966 - 1968
  • Activities and societies: Alliance Francaise
  • Focus on Leadership, Ethics, and Society

• University of Washington

  • Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, International and Intercultural Communication
  • Jun 1983

Skills

• Spanish
• Business Communications
• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• Change Management
• French
• English
• Non-profits
• Fundraising (
• Leadership Development
• Social Networking
• Editing
• Teaching
• Organizational Development
• Research
• Brazilian Portuguese
• Social Media
• Public Relations
• Nonprofits
• Grant Writing
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Communications
• Higher Education
• Charismatic Leadership
• International Relations
• Journalism
• Coaching

Recommendations

• Augusto C.

  • Chancellery Officer at MRE - Ministry of Foreign Relations
  • "I want to recommend Michael for his unassuming intellectual brightness and for his invaluable advice as I was en route to my doctoral degree. In sum, for his humanity."

• Wayne Leslie

  • CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) at Wayne Leslie & Associates
  • "Michael is an outstanding leader, teacher, motivator, and colleague. I highly recommend him for any assignment."

• DR Cliff Ferguson (PhD DTH FBCI)

  • Author, Strategist, Business Continuity Risk and Resilience Specialist, Innovator, and Coach
  • "I recommend Michael as an outstanding master in the field of life coaching, teaching, business management, communication, negotiation, and facilitation."

• Laura Pressley, Ph.D.

  • Founder at True Texas Elections, LLC
  • "Michael provided an all-day training seminar titled, 'Dealing with Gender Diversity Issues in Business.' His abilities to present the material and engage the audience were amazing."

• Steve Belding

  • Real Estate Appraiser II at the State of Florida government
  • "Dr. Michael Leslie is a true visionary and leader who achieves amazing results on any project he takes on."

• Natasha Patterson

  • Deputy Chief of Schools--Network 11 at Chicago Public Schools
  • "Michael is an excellent communicator and brilliant professor who forces his students to be critical thinkers."

• Victor H. Cuesta, MBA

  • Senior Business Development Leader and Diversity Champion
  • "Michael is an outstanding mass communications professor who has made a very positive impact in my life."

• Roelien Piron

  • Founder & Director Product Development Mind5 Training B.V - Creator of Mind5 M.E.T.H.O.D.
  • "Dr. Leslie is that professor to me."

• Julie Montgomery

  • Vice President of Membership & Partnerships
  • "His class (Race, Class, Gender in the Media) was one of my favorite classes during graduate school."

Publications

• Selected Publications (Oct 3, 2018)

Organizations

• SIETAR (Member)

Causes

• Civil Rights and Social Action
• Education