Noralisa Leo brings to SKDKnickerbocker over 15 years’ experience in legislative policy analysis, regulatory compliance, strategic communications, and non-profit management. Her career includes positions in the federal and state government, non-profit and corporate sectors.

Previously, Ms. Leo worked for DCI Group, an international public affairs firm where she worked with clients to develop public affairs strategies through strategic alliances, stakeholder mobilization and community relations initiatives in the telecommunications, health and media industries. Before joining DCI, Ms. Leo served as External Affairs Officer and Deputy Director at the Smithsonian Institution where she led efforts to establish and implement the strategic direction of development and fund raising as well as marketing, public relations, and new media activity on behalf of the Smithsonian Latino Center in the U.S. and abroad. Ms. Leo also managed the Center’s public programs and exhibitions, negotiated domestic and international partnerships, and provided oversight and direction to the Smithsonian National Latino Board.

In 2000, she earned a Corporate Fellowship from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and went on to work for a Fortune 100 company where she advised business units and senior management on regulatory compliance issues related to housing affordability and finance. In that capacity she also supported regulatory communications with external partners, government agencies and the media. She subsequently joined the CHCI Board of Directors and served from 2002 to 2004.

A native of La Joya, Texas on the Texas-Mexico border, Ms. Leo grew up working on local political campaigns and first worked for the State of Texas as a Capitol Tour Guide while in high school. She then went on to work at the Texas General Land Office and the Texas State Comptroller’s office where she was a member of the Texas Performance Review teams. During her state government tenure, Ms. Leo focused on housing, community and economic development issues and ensuring that Texas was maximizing its fair share of federal funding. While a state employee, she co-authored two industry profiles, and contributed to six statewide legislative and economic reports, including a special policy report on the Texas-Mexico border. Her state government experience was further complemented by a White House internship during President Clinton’s first administration.

Ms. Leo holds a B.A. from Wellesley College. She earned an M.S. in International Development Management and an M.B.A. in Finance from American University. She was previously named to HispanicMagazine.com’s Top Latinas and is an alumnus of Leadership Fairfax’s Emerging Leaders Institute and the Latino Legacy Weekend. She currently serves on the board of the Latino Economic Development Corporation in Washington, D.C. Though a Texan at heart, she resides in Arlington, Virginia with her husband, Eduardo and their pug, Kali.