Leslie Wilkins

President & CEO, Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB)

Leslie Wilkins is the President and CEO of the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) since July 2017, after holding the position of Vice President for 17 years. As Vice-President, she led MEDB’s STEM education to workforce initiatives and oversaw the statewide expansion of MEDB’s Women in Technology Project to an annual reach of more than 40,000 participants. Ms. Wilkins is an experienced advocate for women, workplace diversity and equity issues. She has served in state and national leadership roles with the Business & Professional Women’s Organization (BPW/USA) for more than two decades. Elected to BPW/USA national office in 1997, she has served on the Executive Committee, was elected National President, and became BPW Foundation Chair through 2002. Ms. Wilkins currently serves on many state and national boards and commissions including chair of the State Commission on the Status of Women; member of the board of directors for the National Association of Commissions for Women; chair of the Maui County Workforce Board, chair of the Hawaii State Workforce Development Council; member of the University of Hawaii’s College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council; board member of the YWCA of Honolulu, and a national trustee for the BPW/USA Foundation. Honors include the 2014 SBA Veteran Business Advocate Award for Hawaii; the 2001 Federal Region IX SBA Women’s Business Advocate; and the 2005 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Performance Award for a Multi-Year Local Economic Development Initiative.