Leslie is an Indiana University/Bloomington graduate with a B.A. degree in Telecommunications/Marketing. She was an ROTC scholar and upon graduation served eight years in the U.S. Army as an ammunitions specialist and public affairs officer, earning Airborne status and achieving the rank of Captain. She served in Bosnia, Korea, Europe and Colorado before parlaying her leadership, public affairs and communications experience in to a civilian career in PR and marketing in Denver. While there, she was a marketing specialist for the Denver Broncos, and with PR firm Russell, Karsh & Hagan. She married Fort Wayne native John Ferguson (co-owner, Ferguson Advertising) and in 1998 moved to Fort Wayne, where she managed the local office for Minneapolis-based Karwoski & Courage, a Top 100 PR firm.

Within a few years Leslie transitioned to freelance roles with area non-profit and for-profit companies. She was an original Board Member and grant writer for Fort Wayne Trails (then Aboite New Trails) and played a significant role in raising nearly $12 million for area trails. The group together built over 20 miles of multi-use trails, which has significantly improved overall quality of life and economic growth for Aboite and Fort Wayne. Her professional experience, coupled with her passion for Fort Wayne and its communities led to her role as Recruiting & Relocation Liaison/Specialist with Reecer Properties, LLC. She became a Realtor/Broker in 2014.