Leslie Chihuly

Chihuly President & CEO, Chihuly Studio Co-founder, The Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation Chair Emerita, Seattle Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors

Leslie Jackson Chihuly is an American arts executive and philanthropist with a focus on democratizing access to the arts and to ensuring ongoing viability for artists and arts organizations. She is the president and CEO of Chihuly Studio, the working studio of American artist Dale Chihuly, and co-founder of the Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation.

Leslie is the strategic architect for Chihuly Studio’s long-term vision. As president and CEO, she strives to balance the creative energy and rapidly changing needs of an artist’s studio with the demands of the arts sector, ensuring stability for the Studio and advancing the interests of clients, galleries, and museums worldwide. Leading a team of 90 employees, Leslie fosters an environment which helps to realize Dale Chihuly’s artistic vision and supports his ongoing experimentation.

Leslie co-founded the Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation in 2009 with a mission to educate the public regarding all forms of art, and to provide support to artists and arts organizations. Together, Leslie and Dale are involved with numerous non-profit and philanthropic organizations both locally and nationally with a focus on health, education, music and the arts.

Leslie serves on the boards of Vassar College and Pilchuck Glass School. In 2018, she was elected chair emerita of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra Board after serving nine years as board chair.

Leslie received the “Women of Influence” Award from the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2011. She was awarded the “Women of Valor Award” by Senator Maria Cantwell in 2015, honoring women who inspire and build-up our community, and received the “Brava! Award” from The Women’s University Club in 2017 for her work advocating for the arts. In 2018, Leslie was inducted into the College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in recognition of her extraordinary achievements in the arts.