Leslie Johnston

Leslie Johnston is the founding chief executive officer of Laudes Foundation, where she leads the organization’s mission to accelerate the transition to a green, fair, and inclusive economy. With more than 25 years of management experience spanning business, entrepreneurship, development, and philanthropy, Johnston has worked extensively in the global sustainability and impact sector. At Laudes Foundation, she has shaped the foundation’s strategy and operating model, focusing on ensuring that global markets value all people and respect nature.

Prior to her current role, Johnston served as the first executive director of C&A Foundation, where she repositioned the organization as a global catalyst for sustainable fashion. Her earlier career includes executive leadership at Argidius Foundation, a role as deputy director for TechnoServe in Africa, and management consulting with McKinsey & Company. Johnston’s expertise is reflected in her board service with organizations such as Impact Europe (formerly the European Venture Philanthropy Association, where she serves as chair), Fashion for Good, Built by Nature Stichting, and the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on the Future of Philanthropy for Climate and Nature.

Johnston is a public speaker and contributor at major international conferences, including the Milken Institute Global Conference, and provides insights to platforms such as the World Economic Forum. Her work emphasizes innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and systemic change in the movement for a just and regenerative global economy, with a focus on sustainable development, philanthropy, and circular economy solutions.