Despite having no prior experience in the botanicals industry, Leslie Gallo’s curiosity, willingness to learn and hands-on approach to every aspect of the business allowed her to climb the corporate ladder and become a respected leader. Gallo has worked in pretty much every facet of the Artemis business, from operations to account development to global sourcing to science and research and everything in between.
“So I really got to […] get my feet wet in everything, which not only allowed me to learn everything about the business, which I think is important for any president to really,“ Gallo said. ”[It’s] kind of like the McDonald’s model—you know, you have to be a fry cook to own a McDonald’s.
“My path likely is different from others—I did it all. So coming into the business, I knew nothing about nutraceuticals. I really didn’t, and I was very honest with Jan [Mills] about that, but I knew that I had a voracious appetite for learning.”
Gallo’s advice to women aspiring to be company presidents is to gain a deep understanding of all facets of the organization, empathize with your team and recognize that success is a collaborative effort.
Gallo also discussed her passion for philanthropy and community service—something that stems from her mother’s example of generosity.
“Thanksgiving dinners, we had who-knows-who at the table because she found someone who needed a place to be and so that was how I grew up,” she said. “There’s nothing that makes me happier than doing for others, and I feel the not-for-profit space is truly, that’s kind of like my calling.
“I don’t work for a not-for-profit, but I can at least support them in whatever way, whether it’s at a soup kitchen at Thanksgiving, whether it’s donating time to a rescue or to a shelter, or donating money. It’s always been the space that made me comfortable and feel good about myself.”
This spirit of giving back has drawn Gallo to her most recent venture. Last year, she became co-owner of a cat café. She shared the story of how she took on the passion project of Gatos and Beans in honor of her late friend Kelli, who was deeply involved in cat rescue.
“When she passed away, there was nobody, no successor, and so my partner and I kind of rolled up our sleeves and said while it’s sort of the last thing that we really have time for in our life, it would be very meaningful to keep this going for Kelli,” Gallo said. “It was kind of her passion, her life’s work, and it followed with our mission.”
Gallo also highlighted Artemis, a predominantly female company, and the remarkable women who have helped shape the company’s culture and success. She emphasized the importance of mentorship, allowing employees to make mistakes and learn, as well as the growing presence of women in leadership roles across the industry.
