Awards

IUAA President's Award - 2022

About Leslie Kidwell

Leslie Kidwell, MA’13, of Indianapolis earned her master’s degree from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, a graduate certificate in non-profit management from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and a certificate in Fund Raising Management from The Fund Raising School. She has served on the IUPUI Alumni Council since 2015 and began her tenure in this alumni community as president in 2019. As president, she frequently speaks at events, such as IUPUI’s commencement ceremonies in 2018 and 2021 with over 30,000 people in attendance, the annual IUPUI Alumni Leaders Dinner, the IUPUI Top 100 Awards Ceremony, and IUPUI’s 50th Birthday Bash. Leslie was instrumental in encouraging the IUPUI Alumni Council in sponsoring a shelf to support Paws’ Pantry as well as Paws’ Closet. She initiated a challenge to other alumni in the area to support both as well, thereby helping IUPUI students shop with dignity for products that they needed. From 2015 to 2019, Leslie volunteered her time with Spirit & Place, which is part of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI and is involved in taking a people-centered approach to its community engagement activities.