Leslie Napolitano
Leslie Napolitano is a seasoned leader, consultant, and culture architect with over 34 years of experience in corporate leadership and operations, primarily in the food service industry. Rising from an entry-level role to senior executive positions, she has managed multi-million-dollar business lines and helped scale organizations toward nearly $1 billion in revenue. Known for her strategic mindset and disciplined approach, Leslie combines analytics, operational insight, and market expertise to build high-performing teams that consistently deliver results. As a coach and culture champion, Leslie is passionate about developing leaders and fostering environments where trust, transparency, and collaboration drive performance. She has led organization-wide culture transformations, strengthened accountability, and guided teams through complex change with clarity and focus. Her consulting work spans sales, marketing, finance, supply chain, HR, and learning and development, helping organizations reignite momentum and achieve sustainable growth. Currently, Leslie is the Founder and Owner of Locked in Success, a consulting and coaching firm focused on talent management, leadership development, and fractional executive support. She also serves as a corporate ambassador for the Women’s Foodservice Forum and as Lead Coordinator for the NEC Society, mentoring professionals and advocating for meaningful industry and community impact. Leslie’s enduring commitment to empowering others has created a legacy of resilient, collaborative leaders who thrive both individually and collectively.
• Women's Foodservice Forum
• NEC Society
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to recognize and develop talent, build strong teams, and foster a healthy workplace culture. I remain calm and forward-thinking in high-pressure situations, and I prioritize training, hiring the right people, and providing mentorship. Maintaining perspective through both professional and personal challenges has also been key to my growth and achievements.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from senior executives and industry leaders I worked with throughout my corporate career, as well as peers from the Women’s Foodservice Forum who supported my leadership development and my transition into consulting. Their guidance and encouragement have been invaluable in shaping my professional journey.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to overcome imposter syndrome, believe they deserve a seat at the table, and align their inner voice with their goals. I encourage seeking mentorship, trusting your abilities, and not letting self-doubt block opportunities. Pursue leadership confidently and know that your perspective and contributions are valuable.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges in my field right now include navigating workforce changes, developing strong leadership pipelines, and maintaining a healthy company culture during organizational transitions. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities, such as the growing demand for executive coaching, mentorship programs, fractional leadership roles, and organizations investing more intentionally in people development and long-term team engagement.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, kindness, mentorship, calm leadership, and treating people with respect at every level of an organization. Outside of work, I am passionate about painting in multiple mediums, volunteering with premature babies, and advocacy work inspired by the loss of my grandson Micah to necrotizing enterocolitis. I am also deeply committed to helping others succeed professionally and finding ways to support their growth.
Locations
Locked In Success
San Jose, CA 95125