Leslie Ballway
Assistant Director, Career Counseling
Department/Subdepartment
Education
- M.S., Peirce College
- B.A., Temple University
Biography
Values/Strengths:
Communication: I believe clear, open communication centering empathyand collaboration is the foundation for building trusting professional relationships. By listening actively, expressing ideas thoughtfully, and using
humor to connect, I create space for understanding, meaningful dialogue, and a positive atmosphere.
Strategic: I love finding patterns in complex situations and creating plans to get the most out of any experience. This strength guides my conversations with students in maximizing their time and experiences at Bryn Mawr College.
Ideation: Let’s brainstorm! This strength helps me break down the complexities of career planning to actionable steps. I value developing new and innovative solutions to problems, reviewing outcomes to determine effectiveness, and iterating to optimize the result.
Empathy: Empathy is a core value for me because I believe understanding and respecting others’ perspectives builds trust and strengthens relationships. It guides how I communicate and collaborate, ensuring that people feel heard and supported.
First job after college: My first professional job was as a legal assistant at a law firm practicing civil litigation. This job fostered my ability to excel in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment and provided me with what might be the most important insight it could have: that the career I thought it wanted may not have been the best fit for me. While I loved learning about the law, I soon realized that I thrived during moments of collaboration and driving social impact. From there, I began looking for opportunities to use my skills to support my community. This awareness led me to the field of Workforce Development and eventually Higher Education, where I am today.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my two young children and husband. You might even catch sight of us at the local farmer’s market, library, or hiking trail – if you see us, please say hello! I also enjoy any opportunity to be creative, whether it’s doodling or bursting into song. Causes that I am passionate about include social justice, economic empowerment, and reproductive justice.
Leslie Ballway joined the Career and Civic Engagement Center as Associate Director of Career Counseling in 2025. Prior to that, she served as the Director of the Center for Career & Professional Development at Peirce College, where she worked for 10 years supporting non-traditional, adult learners maximize the return on their degree investment. Leslie also worked at Workforce Development organizations connecting Philadelphians with education, training, and self-sufficiency through quality jobs. Leslie holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership & Management from Peirce College and a Bachelor’s in English and Political Science from Temple University. She also earned a certification in Coaching-Powered Leadership.