Meet a Colleague: Leslie Bretz Leslie Bretz serves as social media marketing manager at W&L.

W&L News Office
March 4, 2026

Q. How long have you worked at W&L?
I started working at W&L in October 2023, so I’ve been here for about 2 and a half years.

Q. What is the favorite aspect of your job at W&L?
I love being able to share and amplify meaningful stories from the W&L community on social media. I also love connecting with the W&L community, whether I’m collaborating with my colleagues, working with the students I supervise on the wluLex team, or highlighting alumni and student stories.

Q. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Ohio, but we moved a lot within the southern Ohio area. In eighth grade, my family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where I lived until I went to college. So, Charlottesville holds a special place in my heart.

Q. What three words describe you best?
Loyal, kind, joyful.

Q. Name one person from history you would like to spend a day with and why.
Fred Rogers. Before coming to W&L, I worked at a PBS and NPR station, so his work has had a meaningful influence on me. His timeless messages of love, acceptance and community resonate deeply with me. I also admire that he was a passionate advocate for public media.

Q. Who is the most famous person you have met and where did you meet them?
I met Nicholas Petricca, the lead singer of Walk the Moon. After one of their concerts in Richmond, my friends and I lingered, hoping to meet the band. Sure enough, they came out and chatted with us. I even got a photo with Nicholas, who complimented my face paint!

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
When autocorrect changes the correct word into the wrong one.

Q. What do you like to do away from work?
Spending time with my three-year-old daughter, Ellie. She’s my little bestie! We enjoy having dance parties and walking the Chessie Trail together. I also love spending time outdoors with family and friends, especially floating down the James River every summer.

Q. What is your least favorite chore at home?
Folding laundry.

Q. What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
Spending time with my family and enjoying good food. My mom’s buckeyes around the holidays are delicious.

Q. What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done?
I’d say traveling to the Dominican Republic in college. I stayed with a local family, worked with a women’s cooperative and spent a night in a batey with Haitian immigrants. It was eye-opening and pushed me outside my comfort zone. Parasailing comes in a close second!

Q. What do you pretend to hate but secretly love?
Crocs.

Q. What is your all-time favorite food or food dish?
I love crab, it’s delicious.

Q. Where would you choose to build your dream home?
Somewhere with pretty mountain views, so maybe here. I love that Rockbridge has the adorable, quaint downtown Lexington Hallmark movie vibe but is also surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Q. If you could choose one series to binge-watch, what would it be?
“Gilmore Girls.” I’ve watched it more times than I can count, and it never gets old.

Q. What song or artist could you play on repeat?
Taylor Swift. I love that she has such a wide range of music, from deep emotional storytelling to fun dance bops like Ellie’s favorite, “Shake It Off.”

Q. Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I’m proud to be a first-generation college graduate. There wasn’t a clear path for me to follow in navigating higher education, but with the support of my family and friends, I found my way. Now, I’m working to ensure my daughter, Ellie, has even greater opportunities.