VCWoman Achieve 2025 Mentor Spotlight – Lesley Nalley

Posted on January 30, 2025
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Name: Lesley Nalley | Business/Profession: President, Nalley & Associates LLC

Please share a little about your background, personally and/or professionally.

After spending 25 years in corporate financial and economic development roles, Lesley set out to assist individuals and small business owners with prioritizing their own financial peace of mind. Together, they navigate the process of building, protecting, enjoying and sharing wealth by addressing needs such as lifetime income strategies, business succession planning, college funding, retirement, legacy planning and managing costs for extended periods of care or disability.

Lesley is a Financial Adviser and President of Nalley & Associates, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, an MBA in Human Resource Management, insurance licenses in Arkansas, California and Washington and the RICP (Retirement Income Certified Professional) designation. She enjoys giving back to the community and lifelong learning through her involvement in various organizations. She is an active member of the Estate Planning Council of Arkansas, volunteers on the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas’ gala committee, serves on the Downtown Little Rock Partnership Board and is the Treasurer of Little Italy, Arkansas Heritage Society and Museum, a non profit organization dedicated to preserving her community’s Italian heritage.

Lesley and her husband Scott live in Little Italy, Arkansas, which was founded by five Italian immigrant families, including her own great grandparents. Faith, living life to the fullest, and planning for the next generation’s well-being are cornerstones of this proud township – principles that Lesley uses to develop financial strategies for her own family and those she serves.

Lesley and Scott have two children, Amanda and Kevin, and two grandchildren, Brayden and Collins. Because of her own experiences, Lesley is driven to support young families in their quest for a strong financial foundation. She is also deeply committed to those on whose shoulders she stands and treasures every opportunity to help someone navigate their retirement and legacy goals.

Please share more about your current position and place of work. How have you grown professionally/personally in this role?

Through a commitment to lifelong learning and a comprehensive and collaborative approach to client goals, I help people gain financial freedom. Helping others achieve financial peace of mind is an honor and, along the way, my own family has benefitted by the lessons learned.

What drew you to being a mentor for an entrepreneurial group curated for non-men? How has being a woman or non-binary individual impacted your professional journey?

Throughout my life, I’ve been blessed with phenomenal mentors, both male and female. In my past experience, men were often more comfortable in the professional mentoring space, having operated in it for longer. As women began working more outside the home and exploring entrepreneurship, we were not as comfortable with the concept. Additionally, our professional approaches often differed from our male counterparts. These differences mean that more female mentors, those who understand our unique challenges and opportunities, must reach back and bring the next one along. As a woman, I believe that it is my responsibility to encourage and champion others who are navigating paths similar to the one’s I’ve already conquered.

What are three things you enjoy doing outside of work?

Playing with my grand babies; traveling; spending quality time with my family and friends.

What is your go-to piece of advice for professionals, entrepreneurs, or anyone looking to you for guidance?

“Choose You”, which means truly get to know yourself, fully exploring and understanding your purpose, preferences and dreams. And then choose actions every day that align with who you ultimately want to be. Don’t be afraid to decline invitations to someone else’s purpose in life. Instead, choose you!

What is a professional achievement that you are most proud of, and why are you proud of it?

At 50 years old I celebrated being debt free. This was the culmination of years of professional and personal sacrifice, hard work, education and a commitment to being an example for those I serve. It is also the result of my strong desire to leave an honorable legacy for others to build upon.