Siena Research Institute Leslie Foster, M.S. Ed. Business Development Manager

Leslie Foster brings more than a decade of experience in client outreach and research services to her role at ReconMR, where she leads national business development efforts and helps organizations translate data and insights into measurable results. Known for building genuine, lasting relationships, Leslie approaches every client engagement with diligence, care, and a deep commitment to collaboration.

Before entering the research field, Leslie built a strong foundation in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, working with national companies including Russell Stover Candies, Wrigley's, and the McLane Company. Her responsibilities spanned client development, data analysis, and category and warehouse management. She later expanded her experience into the field of education, a combination that has given her a broad, practical perspective on how research drives strategic decision-making across industries.

Leslie joined the Siena Research Institute in 2014, where she spent a decade supporting clients across New York State and beyond on a wide range of initiatives, including community engagement, needs and health assessments, program evaluation, and public opinion research. She has also planned and marketed large-scale stakeholder events and has been an active contributor to the local business community, serving as both co-chair and chair of the Engagement Committee for the Women's Business Council of the Capital Region Chamber.

At ReconMR, Leslie continues to grow those trusted client relationships while expanding the firm's national reach. She leverages ReconMR's robust research capabilities to help organizations make informed, practical decisions, and she finds public opinion research especially compelling for its ability to capture a more accurate and nuanced picture of what different groups truly think.

Leslie holds a B.A. in Communications and an M.S. in Education. Outside of work, she's an avid reader and outdoors enthusiast who prefers nature walks and a good meal with a water view, with regular visits to the spin studio and plenty of time with family rounding out her days.