Leslie McKnight, Ph.D
Dr. Leslie L. McKnight is the founding principal of McKnight and Associates, a management consultant firm. She is also the Director of Community Health Policy and Planning and Chief Health Strategist for the Peoria City/County Health Department. Her responsibilities at the Health department include the development and implementation of the Partnership for a Healthy Community Tri-County Health Improvement Plan and implementation of health promotion and equity interventions. She currently serves on various national and state boards including the Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD).
Dr. McKnight has over 20 years of experience in public policy and community development for government agencies and has managed millions of dollars in grassroots and public-private partnership programs and activities related to housing, community, health, and economic development.
She holds a PhD in organization development from Benedictine University, Springfield IL and a Master of Science degree in Human Services Administration from Spertus College in Chicago, IL. She is published in many academic and leadership journals and is an adjunct professor in the MBA program at Bradley University. Her research interests include organization strategy, adaptive leadership, and change management. She recently conducted a webinar for the NACCD on the topic of how to become a community health strategist as an individual, organization, and community.