About Leslie A. Saucedo

Leslie Baskir

Expertise in Civil Rights, Leadership, Law, and Resolution

An accomplished executive and attorney with over two decades of experience in civil rights, labor and employment law, inclusion, accessibility and building effective workplace cultures. Her legal and leadership background enables her to evaluate complex organizational issues and develop strategies that lead to lasting resolution and meaningful change.

Prior to founding LAS Professional Services, Leslie held multiple senior leadership roles in the federal government, advancing civil rights, equal employment opportunity, and inclusion efforts. Most recently, she served as Director of the Office of Civil Rights at FEMA, where she advised senior leadership and led a team of more than 200 professionals focused on ensuring compliance with civil rights, equity, and accessibility for employees, disaster survivors, and the public.

Her expertise includes mediation, conflict resolution, equal employment opportunity investigations, alternative dispute resolution, accessibility, and organizational assessments. She led the development of major policies and training programs addressing discrimination, harassment, reasonable accommodations, and language and disability access. In addition, she created and supported employee resource groups, communities of practices and executive boards and organizations.

Early in her career, Leslie litigated employment and labor law matters in both the private and government sectors, representing clients in discrimination, retaliation, and workplace misconduct cases before the EEOC, MSPB, FSGB, and State and U.S. District Courts.

Leslie A. Saucedo, JD

    • Civil Rights Leadership

    • Compliance and Risk Management

    • Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

    • Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

    • Organizational Assessments and Change Management

    • Labor and Employment Law

    • Policy Development and Program Implementation

    • Strategic Leadership

    • Community Engagement

  • Juris Doctorate
    The George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC

    Bachelor of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
    Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
    Director, Office of Civil Rights
    Director, External Civil Rights Division
    2020–2024

    Led FEMA’s civil rights, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs. Directed compliance, investigations, and education initiatives; managed a team of 250+ professionals; and oversaw multimillion-dollar programs supporting fair and equitable access to FEMA programs and activities.

    U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
    Senior Advisor / Acting Director, Affirmative Employment Division
    2018–2020

    Developed strategies to advance civil rights and inclusion. Conducted organizational analyses, identified systemic barriers, and created a five-year plan to strengthen the alternative dispute resolution and equal employment programs.

    U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    Deputy Assistant Director / Attorney Advisor, Office of Diversity and Civil Rights
    2012–2018

    Directed civil rights, EEO, inclusion and accessibility programs. Created national policies, led training programs, and developed data-driven approaches to enhance fairness and accountability.

    U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of General Counsel
    General Attorney
    2008–2012

    Provided legal counsel on employment and civil rights matters and represented the agency before administrative and judicial forums.

    Private Practice
    Tobin, O’Connor & Ewing, LLP | Brown & Sheehan, LLP
    Represented individual and corporate clients in state and federal courts.

  • Attorney
    Active in the District of Columbia; Admitted in Maryland and Virginia

    Mediator
    North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Mediator - Superior Court

    • Directed FEMA’s internal and external civil rights and inclusion programs for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

    • Led large-scale organizational change initiatives to improve inclusion, accountability, and employee engagement.

    • Served as Senior Advisor and Acting Director for the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

    • Managed civil rights and accessibility programs for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,

    • Developed and implemented national policies addressing reasonable accommodations, accessibility, and civil rights enforcement.

Leslie’s career reflects a deep commitment to servant leadership, collaboration, and effective resolution. Her approach blends legal precision, organizational insight, and empathy — guiding individuals and institutions toward clarity, fairness, and sustainable outcomes.

If you’re ready to address challenges with clarity and confidence, Leslie can help you find the right path forward.

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