Leigh Durst

Background

About Leigh Durst

Leigh has forged a pioneering path as an innovative strategist, transformation agent and fractional executive advising leading global brands. For two decades, she has advised Fortune 100 companies, startups, nonprofits, government agencies and businesses across industries, including but not limited to Google, 1-800-FLOWERS, Walmart, American Express, Bristol-Myers Squibb, First PREMIER Bank, Chevron, AOL/Time Warner, and the U.S. Army Reserve. A former UX designer and information architect, Leigh became anchored to the critical importance of placing human understanding at the center of experience design. Her early dedication to human-centered design has carried through a highly multidisciplinary career that transcends: • Digital – Web, mobile, social, products, eCommerce, UX, IA, Content Management • Marketing – CX, IM, MA, CRM, branding, communications, content, program/campaigns, PR, events • Operations – Business strategy, roadmaps, org. planning, BPR, policy, culture, change management A change agent, design-thinker, pragmatist, dot-connector, silo slayer and enemy of the status quo, Leigh helps the companies she serves innovate, harness new ideas and technology, ignite teamwork and resolve challenges that impact customers as well as the bottom line. She excels at designing, refining and optimizing experiences to attract attention and motivate engagement to drive conversion, loyalty and bottom line results. An excellent communicator and storyteller, Leigh has presented at New Media Expo, Tech up for Women, Bay Area Women’s Leadership Network, Upward Women MarketingProfs B2B and other events. She has been featured on a variety of topics in media outlets such as Fast Company, MarketingProfs, Customer Think, CRM Magazine, CNN, CNET, ABC News, National Geographic, the 2015 “Social Good in a Digital Age” and several best-selling books. She organized an eight-year SXSW Event series featuring 150+ global innovators, and has spearheaded a number of award-winning grassroots fundraisers. She serves on the SXSW Board of Advisors and is a Board Member for UC Irvine’s Customer Experience Institute. Leigh is the author of the book, “Walk, Climb or Fly: Surviving and Thriving in the Workplace Wilderness.” Fueled by decades of insights garnered at the intersection of change, the book offers a fresh, visual methodology for understanding and better navigating complicated workplace dynamics, helping professionals and managers build a more thriving, satisfying and productive professional existence.