Communication Arts
Leslie draws on a richly diverse background to optimize each field of focus:
- consulting for small business organizations and not-for-profits
- writing for a variety of verbal and written applications including annual reports, brochures, print ads/broadcast spots, articles, broadcast features, news releases, newsletters, documentary scripts, letters, websites, essays and speeches
- designing and coordinating large and small scale special events
- public speaking and presentational coaching
- conflict resolution/mediation
- designing and facilitating workshops in areas that strengthen relationship with self and others: conflict resolution, stress management, empowerment, public relations, public speaking and energy healing
Then “Leslie Thimmig”, as director of special programming and public affairs, Leslie was the spokesperson for WOMN (WOMAN Radio), a trail-blazing AM station focussing on a wide range of issues relating to women.
Broadcasting
During the seventies, Leslie served as director of advertising and promotion at the then-premiere AM station in southern Connecticut for four years. She also worked as a news announcer/feature reporter at an FM broadcast property in Connecticut before being tapped as a key staffer for the first station in the world focussing specifically on women. As director of special programming and public affairs, she wrote, voiced and produced more than 250 interview features and served as spokeswoman for the trail-blazing broadcasting outlet. Her position also called for coaching volunteers from the arts and business communities in writing and voicing features focussing on health/wellness, recreational travel, theatre reviews and consumer concerns. Her work in television included posts as an assignment editor and associate producer at New Haven's ABC affiliate station.
Public Relations
For nearly a decade, Leslie operated her own PR/Marketing/Special Event and Graphic Design firm serving small business and not-for-profit agencies. She has taught Public Relations at the college level and led numerous workshops on Public Speaking.
Business and the Arts
Experience has shown that a vibrant arts community strengthens the economic health of the broader community. As director of the Business Volunteers for the Arts program at the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, Leslie managed a regional program that provided member arts organizations with technical assistance by matching them with volunteer consultants from the business community.
Conflict Resolution
Community Mediation, Inc. (CMI) in New Haven, was the first community-based mediation program on the eastern seaboard. Leslie was a volunteer mediator for 25 years and also worked for CMI on a contractual basis as a court mediator and co-leader for peer and regular mediation trainings. On two separate occasions, she was honored by Community Mediation, Inc. as an outstanding mediator.
She was also trained in Landlord/Tenant, Parent/Teen and Child and Family Mediation with CMI, and in Collaborative Divorce Mediation by a team of trainers from Silicon Valley; the collaborative model focuses on a team approach involving an interdisciplinary panel of four to seven professionals. Additionally, she served as a coach/facilitator with the for-profit organization Connecticut Mediation. Her work in Massachusetts has included projects with the Center for Nonviolent Solutions in Worcester.