Leslie Billie is the Chief Operating Officer at KIPP Northern California, where she is building a people-centered, strategically aligned operational ecosystem that empowers schools to deliver joyful and academically excellent learning environments. She previously served as the region’s Managing Director of Operations & Compliance, partnering with schools, regional teams, and senior leaders to create mission-aligned systems that keep educators focused on teaching and learning.

A long-time KIPPster, Leslie spent a decade at KIPP NYC, helping expand operations during a period of rapid growth and instructional alignment. She served as Director of Regional Operations and, earlier, as Director of Operations at KIPP Washington Heights Elementary, where she supported the school’s growth from its founding year to serving more than 500 students. Earlier in her career, she was the founding Director of Operations and Communications at the Newark Trust for Education, and she also brings private-sector experience from a San Francisco–based tech market research start-up. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and Women’s Studies from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst.

Outside of work, Leslie finds joy in running the trails of the Oakland hills, running after her toddler, and running the table saw in her woodshop.