Biography
Lesley comes from a varied background, and developed her entrepreneurial style in North Vancouver, her birth place, serving as artistic director for the family business, Seymour Dance. The school flourished with over 300 students and a staff of 12. Lesley earned the Royal Academy of Dance Teaching Certificate, and staged and choreographed the Nutcracker for 15 years.
While attending university, she created and operated a small landscaping business.
Lesley went on to receive a teaching certificate from Simon Fraser University, and taught upper elementary grades in North Vancouver from 1990 – 2001.
In 2001, she moved to Vancouver Island, and shortly after opened a dance school in Nanoose Bay. At the time a single mother of three school age children, she also sold paintings and commissioned portraits.
In 2004 Lesley created Nanaimo Magazine (then called Downtown Directory). The magazine grew rapidly, and in 2005 earned the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Sterling Award for promoting Tourism, Culture and the Arts. The magazine was awarded the yellow pages community volunteer award in 2006.
Lesley’s research, articles, and volunteer work led to many speaking engagements including presentations to the Vancouver Island University Board of Directors, the Nanaimo Newcomers Group, Nanaimo City Council and the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. She has appeared on the A Channel morning show numerous times to discuss current Island events, with particular emphasis on promoting the arts, tourism and entrepreneurship.
Lesley was also very active in the community, and served on the following committees and boards:
- Member, Oceanside Rotary
- Director, Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Economic Development Group
- Member, Tourism Nanaimo
- Member, New Nanaimo Conference Centre Committee
- Mentor, KidVentures program
- Vice-Chair, Team Nanaimo, Olympic spirit committee
- Co-Chair, Measuring Up and Access Nanaimo
- Candidate, 2005 City Council (achieved over 4000 votes)