Leslie Jacobs

Leslie Jacobs is a former insurance executive who has been engaged in education reform for more than thirty years. A native of New Orleans, she began as a business partner with an elementary school, served as an elected member of the New Orleans School Board, and twelve years on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Leslie is considered the architect of Louisiana’s accountability reform, was instrumental in the creation the Recovery School District and has been very involved in efforts to build successful schools in New Orleans post-Katrina. Leslie is the former chairman of Greater New Orleans, Inc and is the founder 504ward, an initiative focused on retaining young talent in New Orleans. Leslie has received numerous honors, including being named by Forbes as one of seven people who “demonstrate the leadership and commitment we need to ensure all children get an excellent education” and as 2011 co-New Orleanian of the Year by Gambit magazine. She was also named one of the Top 100 Female Insurance Executives by Business Insurance.