
Innovative. Compassionate. Impactful.
LaShunda is a result-driven solutionist with a strong bias for action. She is a clinically trained and licensed social worker and licensed minister who bridges her nonprofit executive experience with faith that moves mountains.
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LaShunda is a full-time nonprofit executive, leading a multi-million dollar nonprofit in Upstate New York. She also provides coaching and consulting for nonprofit executives and churches through her firm, Sent One Consulting. She and her husband Moses are certified SYMBIS facilitators, offering couples premarital, marital, and crisis counseling.
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LaShunda is also a highly sought-after public speaker, conference visionary, and host.
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Innovative. Compassionate. Impactful.
With over two decades of senior-level management experience, Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith has successfully led numerous initiatives, always prioritizing the needs of underserved communities. She is deeply committed to serving in spaces where young people of color can see a reflection of their potential and envision a brighter future for themselves.
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Currently, Dr. LaShunda serves as the Executive Director of Connected Communities, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming neighborhoods through the proven principles of the Purpose Built Communities framework. This comprehensive approach focuses on creating mixed-income housing, supporting cradle-to-career education, enhancing community health and wellness, and fostering long-term economic growth and development.


Community Focused
Having experienced and overcome the challenges of poverty as a former teen mother, Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith is deeply dedicated to empowering underserved communities. Her personal journey fuels her unwavering commitment to creating opportunities and driving positive change for those in need.

Driving Cultural Change
Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith is a proven leader in building organizations from the ground up. With expertise in crafting policies, assembling dynamic teams, and designing and implementing impactful programs, she drives transformative change within organizations and the communities they serve.

Strong Bias for Action
Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith excels in managing multiple priorities, driving strategic initiatives, and leading impactful efforts that create meaningful change for vulnerable populations.