Leslie Siller is a passionate volunteer and lives by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

 

Leslie was born and raised in College Station, Texas. Music played an integral part in her upbringing. Her parents regularly spun Henry Mancini and Rachmaninoff records in her childhood home, and her father was an accomplished trumpet player. Theater and other cultural arts were also essential elements of her childhood.

 

Leslie’s father was determined to expose her to a wide variety of cultural activities, whether it was visiting Washington D. C. to tour the nation’s capital, going snow skiing in Colorado, attending a jazz performance by Chick Corea in Arizona, or learning how to throw a pot on a pottery wheel. Leslie’s appreciation for all forms of music inspired her to become an accomplished pianist in her own right.

 

Leslie has lived in her adopted hometown of Houston for over 40 years. She graduated from court reporting school in 1992 and was the principal owner of Pinnacle Reporting, where she worked as a freelance court reporter for many years.

 

Leslie also enjoyed a thriving photography business where she generously donated her time and talents to the Special Olympics; Mothers of Multiples; the Alzheimer's Association; Santa in his Sleigh; Easter bunny portraits; and St. Catherine's Montessori School photos, the school’s annual gala, and other events.

 

When she decided to have a family, Leslie retired from court reporting. As a mother, Leslie was always event planning for her two children, whether it was as room mom or hostess of an end-of-year track team celebration for the athletes and their families.

 

Leslie has been an active member of the Houston Symphony League since 2015 and has participated in many of its events and fundraising opportunities since that time. A small sampling of the roles she has participated in includes: Chairman/Student Concerts Ushers from June 2015 to May 2017; served on the General Board; Hospitality Chairman and created Welcome Totes for the competitors for the Ima Hogg Competition from May 2018 to 2019; VP Membership; served on the Executive Committee from June 2017 to May 2020; Chairman/Symphony Soles Walking Group from September 2020 to May 2021; Recording Secretary from June 2017 to May 2019.  Leslie served as President-Elect from May 2020 until May 2021 and became the current president in June 2021 for one year. Leslie is honored to serve as the league’s president and enjoys working with its members and seeing their talents shine. For her dedication and hard work supporting the Houston Symphony, Leslie received the Ardyce Tostengard Crystal Cello Volunteer of the Year Award in 2019.

 

Leslie is a lover of children. As a member of the Junior League of Houston, she volunteered for Camp Rainbow, a camp for children with diabetes.  She also entertained the children at Texas Children's Hospital with puppet shows, among other activities.

 

Leslie has always had a deep interest in WWII history. Prior to the pandemic, she had scheduled a tour of Normandy. This destination is still a high priority on her places to visit.

 

When she is not volunteering for the Houston Symphony League, The Salvation Army, the Junior League of Houston, or the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Leslie devotes her time to her other loves: supporting the arts, spending time with her family, walking in Memorial Park, and traveling. She attends St. John the Divine Church. Her proudest achievements are her two children, Chance, 29 and Alexandra, 24.

 

Whatever Leslie does, she does it with joy because, as she loves to say, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.”

 

It is for all the reasons mentioned above, and many more, that Leslie Siller has been named a Top 20 Inspiring Woman Impact Maker for 2022.