The Orange Effect Foundation

Empowering children and young adults with speech disorders

Orange Effect Board Member Spotlight: Tom Leskovec

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Today’s spotlight is on Orange Effect Foundation Board Member, Tom Leskovec.

We are so grateful to have Tom Leskovec, with his thoughtful insight
and beaming positivity, on our board.

What do you do for your day job?

I lead a team of Clinical Research professionals at a pharmaceutical company. My team oversees pharmaceutical clinical trials at clinical research sites to ensure the trials are being done safely as well as per local and federal regulations. The work we do aims to support accurate and timely submission of new investigational medications to regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What do you do for fun?

I love to watch sports, movies, read books about history, travel, and spend time with my family, friends, and dogs. I really like to be outside, chances are you might find me in my yard or on my patio.

Tell us about one of your role models or unsung heroes from childhood.

It is really hard to pick just one from my childhood. I could cite so many examples of times my parents and siblings were heroes or role models. I know that it is cliché to pick a family, but it is the honest truth that I am not sure I would be here without their love, support, and guidance. They really were the ones who built the foundation of who I am today. From them, I learned the value of always trying to do my best and striving to do the right thing. I definitely learned from their examples and went to them for advice.

What is your favorite animal and why?

I actually have two. I love dogs and turtles. I think I love dogs for the unconditional love they put forth. I am not sure where the love of turtles came from, but I had turtles as a kid and always thought they were really cool. Later in life, I had an amazing experience while snorkeling off Maui when a sea turtle swam up to me. It seemed so peaceful. I guess that experience cemented them as a favorite.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a scientist. When I was a kid, I thought it would be so cool to as smart as Albert Einstein, or pioneer life saving treatments like Jonas Salk, Alexander Fleming, or Marie Curie.

About Tom Leskovec

Tom has spent over 20 years in various clinical and research settings. He began as an Applied Behavioral Therapist for the Ohio Board of MR/DD, which not only sparked his passion for clinical research, but solidified his strong belief in the effectiveness of early intervention for autism and speech disorders.

Upon graduating from Cleveland State University with his Master’s in Experimental Psychology, he began his next position as a Research Coordinator in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department at Case Western Reserve University. At Case Western, he managed their autism research program as well as clinical trials for many other childhood and adolescent behavioral and psychiatric diagnosis.

After Case Western, Tom spent eight years as a Senior Clinical Research Associate where he oversaw biotechnological and pharmaceutical clinical trials to ensure regulatory mandates and Good Clinical Practices were followed by both clinical research sites and sponsors of clinical research. Tom currently works on the pharmaceutical sponsor side of clinical research where he aids in the clinical operations oversight of novel treatment options for rare neurological conditions.