Leslie D.J. Patterson is a Partner at Ernst & Young, LLP (EY) and the EY Americas & US Diversity, Equity & Inclusiveness Leader. A member of the EY US Executive Committee (USEC), she also co-chairs the Americas Inclusiveness Advisory Council.

In her role, Mrs. Patterson is responsible for driving the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy. This includes maximizing the diversity of professionals across the Americas by enhancing the inclusive culture at EY and embedding equitable talent and business practices to create consistent experiences for all.

Most recently, Mrs. Patterson was US Talent Leader for Diversity & Inclusiveness, where she worked with talent teams and business leaders to consistently execute the EY DEI strategy. She also served as the Southeast Region Talent Leader, overseeing the development and strategic people processes for more than 6,000 professionals across 17 offices and the EY Caribbean practice.

Previous to these leadership roles, Mrs. Patterson helped to develop and implement programs and initiatives to promote a culture of inclusion across EY. Great emphasis was placed on awareness building, pipeline development and networking—which fully support the firm’s culture and its commitment to creating lifelong relationships with its people by providing them with opportunities and tools needed to succeed within EY and beyond. She also supported the formation of the first EY employee resource groups for racially and ethnically diverse professionals and worked on the taskforce to create the EY LGBT+ professional network. Mrs. Patterson began her EY career as an assurance professional more than 29 years ago.

Mrs. Patterson received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Hampton University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School with a concentration in Strategy & Organizational Behavior. She is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the state of Georgia.

Mrs. Patterson lives in Atlanta with her husband and three sons.