Leon C. Prieto is a scholar, speaker, and thought leader dedicated to transforming leadership and business through empathy, purpose, and community. He is a Professor of Management at Clayton State University and a Research Fellow at the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation, housed at the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School.

Leon, alongside his collaborator Dr. Simone Phipps, coauthored African American Management History: Insights on Gaining a Cooperative Advantage, which has been adopted by universities worldwide. The book highlights historical lessons on responsible management and cooperative business practices. Their innovative work earned them the prestigious Breakthrough Idea Award from Thinkers50, recognizing their contribution to management thought leadership.

His research has been published in esteemed outlets such as Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, and the Journal of Business Ethics. His work advocates for a balanced approach to capitalism, where profitability and societal well-being go hand in hand.

Leon holds a Ph.D. in Human Resource and Leadership Development from Louisiana State University, an ALM in Extension Studies, History with certificates in Social Justice and Corporate Sustainability and Innovation from Harvard University, an Executive Certificate in Leading Sustainable Corporations from Oxford University, an MBA from Georgia Southern University, and a B.Sc. in Management from Claflin University.

Recently selected as a Professional Speaker for the U.S. Department of State’s US Speaker Program, Leon looks forward to inspiring global audiences to embrace inclusive, sustainable, and purpose-driven business practices that create a lasting impact for communities and organizations alike