Age: 39
Job: Associate vice president for innovation and commercialization, Old Dominion University
At work: I help ODU increase the impact of its research, provide support to local entrepreneurs and grow its partnerships with industry and government. My technology transfer team collaborates with innovators at ODU to protect their intellectual property, connect them with the partners and resources necessary to move their technologies forward, and shape programs and polices to accelerate that work. In parallel, our Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship team houses small business support centers whose services are free for entrepreneurs in the Hampton Roads community.
Home and family: I’ve lived in Virginia for the past 35 years, spanning Northern Virginia, Richmond, Williamsburg and Norfolk. My wife Kara and I met at William & Mary in 2007; we have two awesome boys, Henry and Hudson. We split our time between Freemason in Norfolk and the West End of Richmond.
Volunteer activities: I love connecting people and finding ways to strengthen innovation ecosystems. I spend most of my volunteer hours as a member of the boards at Innovate Hampton Roads, Norfolk Innovation Corridor, and as chair-elect of the University-Based Economic Developers group. I mentor at 757 Collab and help support various state level efforts for biotechnology. You might also find me hosting bourbon tastings to educate curious cohorts of startup founders in Richmond and Hampton Roads.
Motivating factor: I’m passionate about advancing science and helping people. The presence of both these elements has been the common thread through all the roles I’ve been fortunate to have in my career. The best part is that this becomes a virtuous cycle because I get to connect with wonderful, inspiring people. Many of them I can now count as both friends and colleagues.
Advice to young people: Be genuinely curious about other people, look for the helpers and make a point to show up. Human connections are what make life and work interesting, and the more opportunities you have to make those connections, the better. The winding path of professional careers always has an invisible scaffold of folks who push you toward opportunities you might never have discovered (or succeeded in) on your own.
Professional goal in five years: I have two. The first is to continue to work with/be surrounded by people who are trying to make the future a better place for the next generation. The second is to have retained the perspective that the people who truly need you most are the ones at home and that the way I spend my time should reflect that.
The one thing I’d change about Hampton Roads: Greater collaboration. We have all the right pieces to succeed and we’re headed in the right direction. Time to keep up the momentum!
Region’s biggest asset: We have an incredible combination of geographic, government/military, educational and infrastructure assets that combine to create a nationally-unique testbed environment. There’s nothing we can’t do here if we collaborate.
Downtime: Does anyone have “spare” time? Our boys are 6 and 9, so this season of life is particularly important. We spend our time at the Little League fields, the beach or getting together with extended family to enjoy the unfiltered joy and chaos of kids (we can always drink more coffee). If you recommend a good show or movie, I’ll let you know how it is in 12-18 months.
What really gets under my skin: Lack of presence in meaningful social gatherings. Life is short and time is valuable, so if you choose to do a thing, be present and be curious with the people you care about.
https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/10/27/top-forty-under-40-2025-kevin-leslie/
