President- AT&T Southern Region
Leslie Ward leads all legislative, regulatory, governmental and external affairs activities in the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Ms. Ward was appointed to her current position in 2025, having previously served numerous legislative and regulatory positions within AT&T. She has been ranked as one of the top corporate lobbyists in Texas since the inception of the ranking system by Capitol Inside. Ms. Ward holds a BA in Political Science having attended Texas Tech University and St. Edward’s University. In addition, Ms. Ward completed work in Corporate Community Relations at Boston College.
Ms. Ward currently serves as Chair of the Texas Broadband Association, Chair of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association and Vice Chair of the Texas Cultural Trust. She is also part of the Texas Tech Foundation Board of Directors, Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institution Board, ZACH Theatre Board of Trustees, Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation Board of Directors, The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas Board of Directors and is a sustaining member of the Austin Junior League. In 2014, Ms. Ward was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to Chief Executive Officer for the Texas Economic Development Corporation, where she proudly served under both Governor Perry and then Governor Greg Abbott during her term. Ms. Ward is also currently on the Executive Committee for the Texas Civil Justice League and serves on the board of directors for Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse and Dress for Success.
