Passion, Resilience, and Meaningful Connections

12/14/2023 Alumni Spotlight

McMurry Alumni Association Board of Directors member Leslie Chalmers has crafted an impressive professional career that epitomizes resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to her passion for marketing. In this spotlight, Leslie shares her insights, experiences, and advice for aspiring professionals. 

During her time at McMurry, Leslie was involved in various activities, including basketball, Servant Leadership, being Ko Sari Sweetheart, and cheerleading. Despite a detour due to a heart murmur diagnosis that ended her basketball career, Leslie found these experiences instrumental in developing leadership and multitasking skills. More importantly, they cultivated lifelong friendships that have enriched her journey.  

After graduating, Leslie ventured into sales with notable stints at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Abilene Reporter News. Her career took a turn into the non-profit sector, working for Goodwill West Texas and later the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In 2017, she returned to her hometown of Jacksboro, taking on roles including Chamber Director and Executive Director for the Jacksboro Economic Development Corp.  

In 2022, BeyondFaith Hospice reached out with a compelling opportunity. They offered Leslie with a new role that aligned with her extensive marketing background and her deeply-rooted faith. Drawn to the company’s spiritual leadership and women-led ethos, she accepted and joined BeyondFaith Hospice as their director of marketing, overseeing multiple markets and delivery sites. 

In this role, Leslie shares the meaningful story of BeyondFaith Hospice, emphasizing the compassionate care provided to individuals in their final journeys. She takes pride in her team’s efforts to encourage healthcare professionals and caregivers to choose BeyondFaith Hospice for their hospice needs. 

“I never dreamed that I would end up working in healthcare/hospice but it has been the biggest blessing.” 

Looking ahead, Leslie envisions staying with BeyondFaith Hospice.

New and seasoned professionals alike can learn a valuable lesson from Leslie’s ability to embrace opportunities, demonstrate resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges, and derive genuine fulfillment from the meaningful connections forged along the way.

Her advice to aspiring marketers is to be sponges—soak up knowledge, learn from mentors, and remain humble. 

“Never think you know it all, because just when you think that, you will realize you know nothing at all.”