Leslie Reno Doggett

Leslie Reno Doggett, 66, passed away on January 23, 2024.
She was born in Atlantic City, NJ, on March 1, 1957 to Dr. Frank B. Doggett, Jr., and Maria I. Figueroa, and attended Atlantic City Friends School.
As an undergraduate at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, Leslie double majored, earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Art History (1979). She later attended The Wharton School's Education Program for Finance and Accounting.
Leslie was a leading edge business professional and change agent with 26 years of global experience in travel and tourism.
She served as spokesperson and liaison to the travel industry as President and CEO of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association (BACVA) during the O'Malley Administration, New York City's Director of Tourism in the Dinkins Administration, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tourism Industries and Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism in the United States Department of Commerce in the Clinton Administration. During this period, she was identified as one of "the world's most powerful women in travel and tourism," and received the Francis Smiley Trailblazer Award, presented by the National Multicultural Tourism Advisory Council. Her white paper, "American Pathways 2000: Honoring the Past, Imaging the Future," appeared in the Journal of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
While at the US Department of Commerce, Leslie created and successfully launched American Pathways 2000, a program to enhance export opportunities for cultural heritage itineraries. She redesigned the initiative in Baltimore as an internet-based cultural heritage program to develop and promote heritage sites, and led the successful opening of the Baltimore Visitor Center in the Inner Harbor.
Leslie leaves to mourn her passing a devoted sister, Yvonne "Missy" Doggett, whose commitment to executing Leslie's wishes and affairs, and honoring her life and legacy, will remain a testament to the power of love and the importance of human connection during life's most challenging moments. Leslie touched the lives of many people in her life's journey, family, friends and colleagues who loved her dearly.
A Celebration of Leslie's life is planned for the Summer of 2024 in Atlantic City, NJ. Contact Yvonne "Missy" Doggett at yvonnedoggett2022@gmail.com for updates.