Leisa Holland-Nelson, a fifth-generation Houstonian, is partner, vice president, and CMO of ASTOUNDZ, an organic SEO and responsive website development company. She studied sociology at the University of Texas at Austin. After college, Leisa began a career in fashion as a buyer for Neiman Marcus in New York City. She went on to initiate product development areas for Federated Department Stores Inc. and then to lead such companies as Outlander and Evan Picone. It wasn’t long before she became known as a leading speaker on industry trends and financial forecasts.

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After over 20 years in the fashion business, Leisa returned to her home-town of Houston. Recognizing the significance of technology, she initiated her highly successful entrepreneurial career by launching RentTheSite.com in 2004. It became the first product offering of her company ContentActive, which went on to receive many awards and recognitions such as being presented with the Technology Fast 50 Award six times, being named a top Web developer in Houston 10 times, being named a Best Place to Work, and being named a Better Business Bureau Winner of Distinction four times. In 2017, Leisa merged her ownership in ContentActive with ASTOUNDZ.

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A spokesperson for professional women, Leisa is the host of “Women Mean Business,” a weekly segment of The BusinessMakers Show, an online program on High Drive Network, a digital media platform where entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators can tell their stories through on-camera interviews. The show is also heard on 20 radio stations across the United States. As well, Leisa is the cofounder of The Friendship Factor, a networking and personal advisory group for professional women, which she formed with her best friend, Karen Love.

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Leisa is the proud mother of Laura Max Rose, mother-in-law of Ben Rose, and doting grandmother of Selma Baines Rose.  Her passions are working out; all sports, but especially football—her two favorite teams being the Houston Texans and the Texas Longhorns; enjoying good food with good friends; flowers; antiques; art; and playing dress up with her beloved granddaughter. She is also passionate about being involved with the community.

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Currently, Leisa is vice-chairman of marketing and communications for the March of Dimes, vice-chairman of the American Leadership Forum, and on the boards of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce and AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse). Additionally, she is the immediate past board chairman of the Houston Center for Literacy, the former Mayor’s Commission for Adult Literacy, and has cochaired the Mayor’s Breakfast for Literacy for five consecutive years. Leisa also serves on the advisory boards of Holocaust Museum Houston, Hermann Park Conservancy, and University of St. Thomas and on the board of trustees of Goodwill Houston. She is a former board member of Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), HITS Theatre, High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Houston Achievement Place, Passages Home for Women, Yellowstone Academy, and The Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston, where she served three terms as chairman of the advisory board.

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Leisa has chaired or co-chaired the TUTS Gala, the Houston Community College Foundation’s Passion for Fashion Luncheon, the University of St. Thomas Performing & Fine Arts Society Tea, the Jewish Community Center of Houston Gala, the Houston Technology Center Gala, The Greater Houston Partnership’s Annual Soirée, the Medical Bridges Gala, the El Centro de Corazón Luncheon, the University of Houston’s Table Talk Luncheon,  Recipe for Success’ Dress for Dinner, and the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Conference and Hall of Fame Gala. She has also served on, and been chair of, many host committees. During 2018, Leisa has been co-chairing the American Cancer Society Real Men Wear Pink campaign, Houston to raise money to fight breast cancer, and the March of Dimes Won't Stop campaign, Houston, a new initiative formed to fight health disparities and inequities for all mothers. 

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Leisa’s dedication to community service has brought her many honors, including being named one of Houston’s Fifty Most Influential Women, a Senior Fellow of The American Leadership Forum, one of HBJ/MassMutual’s Powerful Women in Entrepreneurship, a Celebrated Entrepreneur by Houston Technology Center, a Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce Breakthrough Woman, and an ABC/Channel 13 Woman of Distinction. She has received the RISE Award from Santa Maria Hostel, the Mary Jo Peckham Award from the Assistance League, the aniMeals Champion Award from Interfaith Ministries, the Fashion Gene Award from Recipe for Success, the Legends Award from Virtuosi of Houston, and the Heart of the City Award from ROADwomen. Each one has been a priviledge for her to accept.

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Always aware of what is important in life, Leisa Holland-Nelson has used her entrepreneurial skills and instincts to help other women in business and her passion for being of service to better the lives of many.

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It is for all the reasons mentioned above, and many more, that Leisa Holland-Nelson has been named a Top 20 Inspiring Woman Impact Maker for 2019.