people / Leslie Richards-Yellen

Leslie Richards-Yellen

Independent Board Member

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

– James Baldwin

About Leslie

I consider myself a translator. Working as an in-house lawyer for the fixed income group at Vanguard, I sat between the risk-averse and those paid to take risks. I could see both sides, find patterns by observing past scenarios, and adeptly communicate across differing styles. Growing up as a black girl in Iowa was incredible training. I navigated others’ fears and biases every time I stepped out my door; inside our home, I was a translator of American culture for my Bolivian-born father. As a global diversity and inclusion officer, I help companies see what is lost by NOT having a diverse organization. It all starts with the will to do things differently. It’s one of the reasons I’m proud to serve as a Director at City Different Investments.

Highlights

Professional Roles: Debevoise & Plimpton, Hogan Lovells, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Vanguard
Education: JD, Cornell Law School
BFA, Drake University