Esther Lee Leach is the Senior Advisor - Community Partnerships, Boards & Commissions in the Office of Mayor Mike Johnston. Formerly Vice President, Development & Fundraising at Downtown Denver Partnership, Esther led the Corporate Sponsor Program, Membership and fundraising across the organization. She also led the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee. Her other previous role was Director of Membership Development, Events & Partnerships at Clayton Members Club & Hotel, where she led the growth of the membership base, curated 50+ events per month and created partnerships with businesses and community organizations. Her role also included DEIA and ensuring that all activities at Clayton and the membership demographics were inclusive. She was also the Publisher & Editor in Chief of Cherry Creek Fashion Magazine, a digital style publication focused on building an inclusive community.
Esther is a board member of Biennial of the Americas which creates connections and builds community across the Americas. She is also on the board of Cherry Arts; its nonprofit mission provides access to art experiences and supports arts education via the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Esther's third board appointment is the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce, and was awarded the Gervasini Community Leader of the Year Award for Cherry Creek in 2022. She is the Chair Elect 2026 for the Cherry Creek Chamber.
Esther was also appointed by Governor Jared Polis as a Commissioner for the Economic Development Commission for the state of Colorado.
Esther grew up on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia and has now settled in Denver after living in San Francisco, New York and London. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Fashion Journalism from the University of the Arts London, and has experience as a journalist, fashion editor, photographer, television host, film/television producer, and event producer.
During her teen years, Esther formed Lee Productions Inc., a television production company. She produced and hosted two television series, music videos and a documentary. Esther was also a producer and publicist on the short movie 'The Coming of Org'. The movie was accepted into the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012.
She is an excellent communicator and public speaker, and has extensive experience in strategic partnerships, communications, media relations, content strategy, outreach and community building.