Leigh Thraves, MBA
founder & chief strategist
ABOUT
I’ve spent nearly 20 years working in digital marketing, building a career around helping organizations make smart, informed decisions about where to focus their time, budget, and energy.
Early in my career, I specialized in paid search, developing deep experience not only in performance strategy but in translating complex data into clear, executive-level insight. I spent years at a multinational digital marketing agency, working across industries including finance, healthcare, energy, technology, and retail, and regularly presenting analysis and recommendations to senior leadership teams.
Most recently, I served at UVA Health, where I oversaw all paid digital campaigns across the organization. In that role, I partnered closely with executives and institutional stakeholders to align marketing strategy with broader organizational priorities. I also led the implementation of marketing data platforms and helped establish analytics and measurement standards designed to support more confident decision-making.
That experience shaped how I work today: marketing is powerful, but only when interpreted through the lens of business realities — margin, capacity, institutional goals, and long-term sustainability.
I hold both a BS and an MBA from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. My business education, combined with hands-on leadership experience inside complex organizations, informs my approach: business first, marketing as a lever for thoughtful, sustainable growth.
Today, I work in a fractional strategic capacity with healthcare and service-based organizations that value clarity, context, and intentional decision-making. My focus is simple: help leadership teams determine what to prioritize, why it matters, and how to measure progress with confidence.
OUTSIDE OF WORK
My first priority is my family — my husband, our young children, and our dogs. I’m also deeply involved in equine rescue and rehabilitation, work that reinforces values I bring into my professional life: patience, stewardship, and long-term thinking.
When I’m not working or spending time with family, you’ll likely find me reading, gardening, on the water, or visiting local wineries.
Let’s Connect!
If you’re looking for clearer direction around your growth strategy — what to prioritize, what to adjust, or how to better interpret what’s working — I’d be glad to connect.
These conversations typically begin with a few focused questions about your business:
where leads or patients are coming from
which services drive the most value
what you’re currently investing in
and which decisions feel most uncertain right now
From there, we can explore whether a strategic partnership would be helpful.
No pitch. No pressure.
Just a thoughtful, practical conversation about what would bring greater clarity and confidence to your next steps.