Speaker - Leslie Watson

Leslie Watson
Consultant and Member-Owner, CDS Consulting Co-op

Leslie Watson has long been motivated by the idea that co-ops have an important role to play in business and local communities. Her belief in the power of cooperation led her to become involved in multiple cooperative and local enterprises in her own community, including many years of service on cooperative and other boards.

In her work as an owner and consultant with the CDS Consulting Co-op, she supports cooperatives and their boards of directors in achieving more effective governance through better teamwork and stronger systems.

She also has extensive experience in designing and facilitating retreats, employee meetings and community engagement initiatives. Watson holds a master’s in public affairs from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School (nonpracticing) and was recognized for her contribution to co-ops with a Howard Bowers Award for board service in 2013.