The Team

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Gloria Leon has a strong and successful background in providing governmental affairs services to high-profile clients at the state and local levels. Throughout her career at two of the most prominent lobbying firms in Los Angeles, Gloria was responsible for representing Fortune 500 companies before elected officials in Southern California. A former Commissioner on the L.A. City Charter Reform Commission, Gloria has dedicated more than 20 years to providing governmental affairs consulting services. 

Gloria has a proven reputation in resolving complex client issues before various public entities, specifically the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, LA Metro, Los Angeles Unified School District and multiple municipalities throughout Southern California. Gloria has worked on a wide array of issues, including information technology, procurement, and land use matters. 

Previously, Gloria participated in distinguished leadership programs that include the Southern California Leadership Network and the USC Ross Minority Real Estate Program. She also served as board member for the Loyola Marymount University Alumni Board and the East Los Angeles Classic Theater. She currently serves as a member of the Strategic Advisory Council for the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP), a statewide Latino youth leadership program. 

Gloria earned her Master of Arts degree from the University of Southern California’s School of Policy, Planning and Development and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University. She and her family reside in the City of Long Beach.

Sarah Walsh is a government affairs professional with 25 years of experience representing corporations, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations before federal, state, and local government. Sarah works closely with Leon & Walsh’s clients to develop lobbying strategies, engage elected officials, and build advocacy coalitions. 

Prior to founding Leon & Walsh Public Affairs, Inc., Sarah represented a variety of high-profile clients before the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, LA Metro, and the Los Angeles Unified School District while serving as a contract lobbyist at two prominent Los Angeles-area public affairs firms. 

Sarah also served as the Director of State Government Affairs for the Motion Picture Association, where she was a successful advocate for the film and television industry for nearly 15 years. She managed MPA’s Los Angeles-area advocacy and directed the Association’s 50-state legislative strategy on issues affecting film and television production and studio facility operations. 

Sarah previously served as a field representative in the office of California State Senator Debra Bowen. Before joining Senator Bowen, she was a program assistant with the Council of Chief State School Officers, where she worked with state-level service learning directors from around the country. 

Sarah holds a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. She and her family live in the Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Leslie Rodriguez is a government affairs professional who thrives on building relationships, fostering collaboration, and creating systems that empower teams to communicate effectively and advance advocacy with confidence. 

Prior to joining Leon & Walsh Public Affairs, Inc., Leslie served as a Manager of Government Affairs at NBCUniversal, where she deepened engagement with local civic and community partners, monitored emerging local policy issues, and collaborated with advocacy organizations and lobbyists to keep internal teams aligned on priorities and opportunities.

Leslie has also held meaningful volunteer roles in civic engagement and community partnerships throughout Los Angeles, including service on the Fulfillment Fund Alumni Board, as an alumni ambassador for the Young Center LA, and as a mentor with Students Without Limits, supporting undocumented students with college‑readiness resources.

She currently serves as 2nd Vice President and Board Member for the League of Women Voters of Greater Los Angeles, where she co-chairs the annual fundraiser and advocates for civic engagement, community empowerment, and women’s rights.

Leslie earned a Master of Public Policy from the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, a Master in Dispute Resolution from the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University. She is a proud Latina and Los Angeles native who loves the city she calls home, where she lives with her family and her two dogs by her side.