Leslie Karotkin is an award-winning and passionate philanthropic executive with 30 years of experience guiding philanthropic activities and directing foundation operations. She combines extensive industry expertise, proven business acumen, and proactive problem-solving abilities with a successful track record for exceptional leadership resulting in enduring and effective strategic relationships. Leslie is on a mission to make philanthropy a priority and translates her enthusiasm into action on behalf of philanthropic individuals, families, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. She facilitates the connections between entities to ensure her clients are involved in the activities that fulfill their charitable engagement goals.
The history of achievement ranges from personal awards to organizational success and showcases Leslie’s dedication, commitment, and passion for the philanthropic community. She was awarded 2015 Volunteer of the Year by the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable for her outstanding community engagement. After serving as the Executive Director of the InnovAge Foundation, and the organization’s conversion to a for-profit entity, Leslie’s vision to work with individuals, families, and foundations to guide philanthropic planning and facilitate community engagement became a reality when she created Karotkin Consulting LLC.
For the past several years, through Karotkin Consulting LLC, Leslie has helped clients plan and execute on their philanthropic efforts. She conducts and facilitates important family meetings and multi-generational discussions. She coaches nonprofit boards and staff to strengthen fund development efforts and to build legacy giving programs. Leslie also facilitates trainings and provides presentations on a variety of philanthropic topics.
Past successes also include serving as the Senior Philanthropic Planner and Director of Professional Advisor Programs at The Denver Foundation, and her talents for enhancing relationships resulted in one of the Foundation’s largest gifts at that time of $21M. Through her leadership at National Jewish, four new events were implemented and raised more than $1.2M in the first year. In early career roles, Leslie mastered fundraising success by surpassing goals, increasing volunteer and staff engagement, growing public programming activities, and creating and transforming events that were financially successful and promoted awareness for the organizations she served.
Leslie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas and started her career in Dallas before moving to Atlanta and finally ending up in Denver. As an engaged member of the community, Leslie has held leadership positions with the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Steering Committee for the Institute for Leaders in Development at DU. She’s a member of the Professional Advisor’s Council for The Denver Foundation, a member of the Rocky Mountain Estate Planning Council, and actively volunteers with several other nonprofit organizations.
In her spare time, Leslie enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her Boston Terrier, Scarlet. She’s an avid exercise enthusiast, loves hiking and taking long walks, travels often, and feels nourished by Denver’s cultural offerings and burgeoning food scene.
“I worked with Leslie for years and was always impressed with her ability to identify a strategy, move a project ahead, and emphasize collaboration and engagement while creating meaningful relationships with all involved. She is professional, trustworthy, discrete, and effective.” Betsy Mangone, Community Leader
“Leslie’s extensive background spans the tactical to strategic continuum. Her demonstrated ability to provide dynamic and lasting solutions to organizational and philanthropic challenges is informed by experience, best practices, and a refreshing strengths-based orientation.” Christiano Sosa, Iliff School of Theology
“Leslie motivates and inspires through her experience and knowledge while cultivating relationships built on trust, respect, and empowerment.” Diana McFail, Center for Workforce Inclusion
“Since 2005 I have known Leslie Karotkin in various professional settings, including as a colleague, a coworker, and a fellow volunteer. Leslie is informed, engaged, energetic, and helpful—a true professional dedicated to helping others in philanthropy and steeped in best practices and local opportunities.” Sarah Harrison, Fundraising Expert
In Conversation: Leslie Karotkin, Karotkin Consulting
https://denverfoundation.org/2021/10/in-conversation-leslie-karotkin-karotkin-consulting/