Welcome, Leslie Oskey, Our New Director of Youth Development and Community Impact

The Director of Youth Development and Community Impact is a key member of the FWTEC leadership team who oversees the implementation and growth of TennisWorks, our scholarship programs, and initiatives to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They actively work in concert with our team to remove barriers to participation and leverage the sport of tennis to build confidence, opportunity, and success with the youth we serve.

"We are excited to welcome Leslie to our team! Her experience in sport-based youth development as well as her passion and commitment to improving outcomes for and with young people is a perfect fit for this role," said our Executive Director, Christine Nickels.  

Leslie is a Wisconsin native who loved any and all sports, which led to her interest in health, wellness, and leadership. She attended Lakeland University in Wisconsin as a member and two-year team captain of the Women’s Soccer Team and graduated with a double major in Fitness and Sports Studies and Spanish. During her collegiate career, she received the NACC Student-Athlete Award and was a four-year Dean’s list student. Leslie began serving in the Marine Corps Reserves in her final year of undergrad. After completing her military service, she went on to earn her Masters in Exercise Science and Sport Studies at Smith College in Massachusetts. Leslie was the Graduate Assistant Coach for the Women’s Soccer Team at Mount Holyoke College, teaching assistant lecturing undergrad ESS courses at Smith College, and receiving the “Aspire Higher” academic achievement award.

After graduate school, Leslie became the Head Women’s Soccer Coach for Cornell College in Iowa and coached the FC United youth travel soccer club. Her continued passion for youth and community work brought her to the Twin Cities as a Sports Program Director at the YMCA and coach with the Edina Soccer Club. Upon earning a tier II teaching certification, Leslie taught Elementary P.E. at Minnesota Math and Science Academy while serving as the Athletic Director and starting the school’s first athletic program. 

Leslie's official start date was mid-October, so please introduce yourself, if you see her! In her words, "I'm excited to work with such a great team who shares my passion for working with and for our community to positively impact youth. I look forward to adding my experience and enthusiasm for helping young people become the best versions of themselves to a program that already does this so well." We asked Leslie a few fun questions below to get to know her outside of the office: 

1. Who is your favorite athlete or celebrity, and why?
LO: Megan Rapinoe because she’s an incredibly talented soccer player but has also used her platform to support Black Lives Matter and other social equity platforms 

2. How do you like to spend your days off?
LO: Hiking, camping, biking, spoon carving, going to farmers markets, and going to restaurants.

3. What is your favorite Twin Cities spot? Could be a restaurant, park, brewery, landmark, etc.
LO: The Minnehaha Falls dog park

4. What is one thing you would tell all of the students that you work with? 
LO: Take up space to learn and grow unapologetically.

5. Why are you excited to be working at the Fort?
LO: I’m excited to be a part of the vision and mission of the Fort because of how it aligns with my personal morals and how I want to impact community. I am also excited about working with such a great team of folks.