Talent Champion – Leslie Bee

Talent Champion Spotlight

AEF Talent Champion - Leslie Bee

Leslie Bee
Associate Partner, Director of Talent
Goodby, Silverstein & Partners

As the director of talent at Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Leslie Bee is responsible for recruiting talent for the agency’s account management, strategy and administrative departments and oversees the agency’s multidisciplinary intern and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, Bee leads the San Francisco chapter of Omniwomen, an ERG established to support women of all levels who work at Omnicom agencies in San Francisco.

Since 2015, Bee has represented GS&P on the advisory committee for the San Francisco Unified School District Career Technical Education program. She helps to ensure that the high school curriculum reflects the skills needed to be successful in an agency environment. Bee has partnered with participating high schools, exposing students and their teachers to life in an ad agency. Every summer, GSP hosts a few high school students as interns and has even hosted a few teachers for externships.

What prompted you to get involved with the AEF and why are you passionate about the future of the industry?

I had already been partnering with high schools and local colleges when Sharon Hudson reached out to find someone from GSP to speak to Professor Timke’s class at UC Berkeley. It was an easy request to say yes to. When students get exposed to the possibilities that exist within an agency, they want to learn more. I am so grateful that the AEF has given me lots of opportunities to expose students to the world of possibilities that exist within an agency. I am passionate about the future of the industry because I see the opportunity we have to help educate, motivate, inspire and at a minimum make people smile. We have a platform that can do good at a time when we all need a little good in our lives.

What is the best career advice you've ever received?

Find a mentor. I did.

Who was your favorite professor and why?

My favorite professor was Professor Sloane at UC Berkeley. He gave me great – sometimes hard to hear – but always super helpful feedback.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love meeting great talent – and exposing that talent to the fantastic opportunities that exist at the agency.

"Our future marketing and advertising leaders are not just looking for a job, they are looking for a meaningful career that will make a positive impact on society."
— Gord McLean, President and CEO at ANA Educational Foundation