Leslie Truelove
Chief Marketing Officer & Operating Partner, Cleveland Avenue

An expert in brand, consumer marketing and menu innovation, Leslie is responsible for leading the Marketing function for Cleveland Avenue.  She also serves as an Operating Partner with several of the firm’s portfolio companies.  Cleveland Avenue (CA), based in Chicago, is a Venture Capital & Consulting firm, founded by Don Thompson, that strategically invests in restaurants; and has a robust portfolio of investment companies in the food and beverage; technology and Ag tech categories.

Over the course of her career, Leslie has worked for large companies such as McDonald’s, Coca Cola and Coors Brewing Company. She’s been responsible for managing and growing multi-million-dollar food and beverage businesses, leading menu development and innovation in food and beverage categories, developing national, ethnic and local market brand plans, as well as creating award winning brand content.  

A few of her biggest accomplishments at McDonald’s include leading the product development and testing of  McDonald’s Blended Iced beverages (Frappes & Smoothies); as well as building the business case for the multi-million dollar business.   In addition, she lead the marketing efforts in support of the McDonald’s All-Day Breakfast launch.  

At Cleveland Avenue, Leslie has been instrumental in working with Beyond Meat and other portfolio companies to successfully expand their business from retail / grocery into the restaurant and food service channels.  

In her current role at CA, a key responsibility is helping entrepreneurs and businesses grow and scale their business.   By applying her expertise in the restaurant and retail channels; as well as leveraging strategic thinking, marketing strategy and consumer insights, she helps brands and business solve business challenges.  She works closely with many CA portfolio companies ranging from Beyond Meat, NotCo, Footprint, Red Bay Coffee and others to accelerate their brands and businesses.

Leslie has an MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, and her undergraduate degree from Emory University.  To continue to sharpen her marketing skills, she’s recently completed a Kellogg Executive Education Digital Marketing Strategies course.

Leslie lives in Oak Park and is the mom of two active children (17 and 13 years old).  She’s an avid Orange Theory Fitness fan (recently hitting the 600th class milestone) and is active in several education oriented organizations in her community.