Leslie McKnight, PhD

Illinois, Associate At Large Director

Dr. Leslie L. McKnight is the Director of Community Health Policy and Planning at the Peoria City/County Health Department. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the Partnership for a Healthy Community Health Improvement Plan and health promotion and equity interventions throughout the Tri-County region. Leslie has more than 20 years of experience in public policy and community development for local and regional 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. Currently, she is the coordinator of the region’s Illinois State Physical and Activity Nutrition (ISPAN) program for Central Illinois through the Illinois Public Health Institute.

Leslie holds a PhD in Organization Development from Benedictine University at Springfield (Illinois), and a Master of Science in Human Services Administration from Spertus College in Chicago. She is published in many academic and leadership journals and is an adjunct professor in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Bradley University. Her research interests include organization strategy, adaptive leadership, and change management. Leslie’s most recent article, “Building Healthy Communities,” was featured in Central Illinois Peoria Magazine.