Monday was one of those unforgettable days where the room felt electric — alive with truth, inspiration, and the kind of connection you simply can’t manufacture.
That was Dr. Leslie Davis — lovingly known as Dr. D. She may stand just 4’11”, but don’t let that fool you. She carries a presence, a strength, and a fire that fill every inch of a room.
And for me, this one was personal.
Thirty years ago, I coached her at Mascoutah High Scool. I knew then she had grit. But to see who she’s become now — a professional counselor, a doctor, a survivor, a truth-teller, a world-changer — and to watch her pour into my students?
It hit my heart in a way that’s hard to explain.
Because Dr. D’s story hasn’t been easy.
Raised by a single mom.
A single mom herself at 21, to a son born with a rare heart defect — her “heart warrior.”
A young woman juggling work, college, internships, motherhood, and grief.
A woman who had every reason to quit but never once did.
She shared what it really takes to become a therapist — the master’s degree, the national exams, two years of supervision, continuing education, licenses, insurance — all the behind-the-scenes work most people never see. But even more than that, she talked about the skills that matter most in every corner of business and life: listening deeply, noticing the unspoken, showing empathy, having patience, refusing to judge, and remembering it’s never about you.
Along the way, she served in many roles that shaped her journey — foster care caseworker and supervisor, family advocate, therapist, and program lead — each one preparing her for the work she does today. She spoke about how meaningful it was supporting families at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Heart Center, not from her own story, but to help them navigate theirs.
In 2022, she became Dr. Davis, and today she leads her private practice in O’Fallon — Emotions Connected — which focuses on helping people build and strengthen relationships. She serves teens, college students, women, couples, pregnant moms, and new moms navigating life’s hardest chapters. She loves helping people solve their own problems, watching clients rise from trauma, teaching healthy relationships, learning, growing, stretching. It is her purpose — and everyone in the room felt it.
Her PhD opened doors she once didn’t know were possible:
speaking engagements, travel, news appearances, magazine features, podcast interviews, a global network — and on Monday, our CEO students.
And in between the big moments, she shared the small truths of who she is:
her love for coffee,
her joy in jiu jitsu,
her strong rooted faith,
her heart for single moms (she even hosts a podcast called SHE Matters),
and the quiet pride of being part of the 4.4% of PhDs earned by Black women — not as a trophy, but as a testimony.
Suddenly, she wasn’t just impressive — she was relatable. Human. Someone they could see themselves becoming.
And then came the moment that still makes me smile:
When she told the class she’d be returning later this week for our mentor mixer, the entire room burst into cheers. Not polite applause — real, joyful cheering. The kind that fills a space and bounces off the walls.
It was pure connection.
Pure admiration.
Pure excitement.
And I kept thinking how surreal it felt… that the girl I coached three decades ago stood in front of my students, lighting them up from the inside. A full-circle moment in the most beautiful way.
My heart is full.
My students are better for knowing her.
And I am so grateful to have witnessed this chapter unfold.
