Dr. Sharon Leslie
Founding Executive Director
Blue Compass

Sharon Leslie is the Founding Executive Director of Blue Compass, a national network for Jewish professionals working in secular nonprofits and philanthropy. Blue Compass supports professionals by building peer networks and practical tools to address workplace antisemitism and enable them to thrive in the sector. Sharon writes and speaks nationally on antisemitism in the nonprofit workplace, advocating for a strong and vibrant nonprofit sector where Jews don’t have to choose between who they are and the work they love.

Before launching Blue Compass, Sharon held leadership roles at the intersection of health, equity, and community building.  She worked in Humanitarian Health research through the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health, and founded and ran several initiatives, including the Cancer Rehabilitation Program at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Survivorship Partners, and Vaxvolunteers.org. In addition to her role at Blue Compass, she acts as a strategic nonprofit consultant, specializing in building mission-driven organizations and driving impactful change. She serves as a Trustee of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), previously served as Board Chair of the Oshman Family JCC, and advocates for cross-sector collaboration rooted in Jewish values.

Sharon holds a BA from the University of Rochester, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, and an MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.