Leland Spencer | LGT Class of 2026

What’s a risk you took in your career that paid off?
After 14 years in sales, I wanted to go into management but was denied interviews because I didn’t have experience with people reporting to me. About 12 years ago, I took a step back in level and pay to get experience having direct reports. This opened the door for me to step into the greater people-leader role I enjoy today. The step back was a bit scary, but the risk was worth the reward.

If you could instantly solve one community challenge tomorrow, what would it be?
Access to health, mental health and wellness resources, especially for youth and people who face barriers like stigma, cost or limited services. Greater access to these resources would benefit individuals, families, workplaces and our entire community.

What values guide you most as a leader?
The values that guide me most are integrity, consistency and empathy. I try to be honest, steady and understanding so people know they can trust me and feel supported. Life experiences and other leaders have influenced those values in me, but I would say my upbringing and especially my wife and daughters made those values close to my heart.

What is a fun fact about you that might surprise people?
I am surprisingly good at the video game “Just Dance!” That will not be a surprise to my wife and daughters who have witnessed me dominating it.

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