Leslie Parks

Economic Development Director

Leslie Parks has led and assisted with a diverse range of programs in economic development, workforce development, redevelopment, affordable housing, and public/private partnerships. In addition to her consulting work for urban and rural communities in California and the U.S., Leslie has served as Director of Economic Development for the City of San José; Director of Downtown and Industrial Development for the San José Redevelopment Agency; Director of Community Development for the City of San Carlos; Economic Development Coordinator for the City Burlingame; and interim Director of Workforce Development for San Mateo County. Most recently, Leslie Parks served as Special Projects Consultant for the City of Redwood City’s housing and economic development programs.

Leslie has also provided economic development consulting services to the cities of Santa Rosa, Mountain View, Half Moon, Bay, Redwood City, Vacaville, the Solano Economic Development Corporation, and Joint Venture/Silicon Valley to name a few of her previous clients. She is currently providing use tax consulting services to the cities of Menlo Park, Burlingame and San Jose and developed a small business action plan for the City of Mountain View.

Leslie is also a trained facilitator in consensus building, community engagement, public process, and strategic planning.