Leslie Grandy

Leslie Grandy is a global product leader, speaker, author, and CEO advisor with over 25 years of experience across various industries, including technology, entertainment, and product management. She has worked for major companies such as Amazon, Apple, T-Mobile, and Best Buy, where she led teams and developed first-to-market products. Leslie has also been involved in the film industry as a member of the Directors Guild of America and has co-authored a patent held by Intel.

Her expertise includes driving creativity and innovation, particularly in the context of product management and digital transformation. She is known for helping companies such as Oracle, Starbucks, and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers enhance their creativity, empowering employees at all levels to think innovatively. Leslie is also an IDEO-trained leader in Design Thinking and has built innovation labs in various organisations. Her work focuses on integrating human creativity with AI to keep companies competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Leslie’s upcoming book, Creative Velocity, set to release in early 2025 by Wiley, explores the role of AI in enhancing creativity and offers practical advice for fostering innovation. She is also an educator, serving as an adjunct lecturer and advisor at institutions like the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business and the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering.

In addition to her work as a mentor, she is an advisor to the start-up Modwell.io, which focuses on spatial computing and real estate. Leslie has held leadership roles in various executive education programs, coaching teams on product management, strategy, and service design. Her career journey demonstrates her commitment to helping organisations and individuals thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.

Leslie Grandy was born in the United States and has built a career spanning over 25 years across diverse industries such as film, technology, and business. She initially started her career in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, where she was a member of the Directors Guild of America. Her work in the film industry laid the foundation for her future career, developing her creative and leadership skills.

In the early stages of her professional journey, Leslie transitioned to the tech industry, where she worked with some of the most recognised brands globally, including Amazon, T-Mobile, Apple, and Best Buy. Throughout her career in these companies, Leslie led various teams and played a key role in the development of first-to-market products. She was notably involved in the launch of digital media subscription services for major content providers such as Major League Baseball, NASCAR, CNN, and ABC News. Her innovative contributions also include co-authoring a patent now held by Intel, a testament to her expertise in product development and innovation.

Leslie's career path continued to evolve as she became increasingly focused on fostering creativity within organisations. She worked with companies like Oracle, Starbucks, and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, helping them develop creative strategies to address market challenges. She is known for empowering teams and individuals to unlock their creative potential and find novel solutions to problems. Leslie is also an IDEO-trained leader in Design Thinking, a methodology she has applied in various roles, including leading internal innovation labs.

In 2025, Leslie’s book Creative Velocity will be published by Wiley. This book combines cognitive science with real-world applications to explore how individuals and organisations can leverage creative thinking in the age of AI. It offers practical advice for enhancing human creativity, using non-linear thinking and ideation triggers.

Leslie also holds academic roles, including being an adjunct lecturer and mentor at prestigious institutions such as the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business and the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering. She is deeply involved in mentoring students and advising on topics related to product management and entrepreneurship.

In addition to her work in education and publishing, Leslie serves on the board of Modwell.io, a startup focused on spatial computing and real estate. The company is part of Nvidia’s startup accelerator, Inception, reflecting its innovative position in the tech space.

Currently, Leslie continues to advise executives, startups, and enterprises, helping them navigate the ever-evolving landscape of product management and creative innovation. Her work as a speaker, author, and advisor remains influential in shaping how organisations foster creativity and adapt to change in a fast-paced business world.

Leslie Grandy envisions a future where creativity is the driving force behind organisational success. She believes in empowering individuals at all levels to think innovatively and embrace change. By combining human creativity with emerging technologies like AI, Leslie strives to help companies stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. She aims to inspire leaders to foster environments where creativity thrives, allowing organisations to adapt, grow, and lead in their industries. Leslie’s vision is focused on making creativity an integral part of every business strategy, ensuring long-term success through continuous innovation.

Leslie Grandy has received recognition for her work in product management, creativity, and leadership. Her innovative approach has led to collaborations with well-known companies like Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks, where she has helped drive market-leading products. Leslie has also been acknowledged for her patent, co-authored with Intel, and her role in pioneering digital media services for major content providers. In addition, she is an IDEO-trained leader in Design Thinking and has contributed to various educational programmes. Leslie’s achievements have made her a respected figure in product management, innovation, and entrepreneurship.