Tommies In Our Communities
Chris Leising '92
Location: Twin Cities
Tommies In Our Communities
Location: Twin Cities
Chris (Pfeifer) Leising ’92 chose St. Thomas for its exceptional education, beautiful campus and the opportunity to play varsity soccer. What she found was much more than a college experience. St. Thomas helped shape her discipline, broaden her perspective and introduce her to relationships that influenced the course of her life. “The University of St. Thomas has been a cornerstone in my life’s journey,” she said.
Today, Leising is Senior Vice President of Business Strategy and Marketing for Element Electronics, where she helps companies elevate brands, drive growth and rethink go-to-market strategy. Over the course of her career, she has worked with major national brands at The Pillsbury Company, Diageo, General Mills, The Schwan Food Company, and Cygnus Home Service. Though she earned her undergraduate degree in accounting, returning to St. Thomas for an MBA in marketing helped launch her marketing career and opened the door to leadership and business strategy roles.
Leising says her time at St. Thomas laid a strong personal and professional foundation. From the camaraderie of the soccer team to friendships that still enrich her life, the university’s impact has lasted far beyond graduation. She even met her husband in Old Testament class. Over the years, she has continued Tommie engagement through mentoring students, professional relationships with fellow alumni and, more recently, supporting her son’s education and athletic experience at St. Thomas. For Leising, that full-circle connection is a powerful reminder of how deeply the university has shaped her family.
She carries the mission of “all for the common good” into every part of her life. In her professional work, she champions growth strategies that also create positive social impact through sustainability, inclusive branding and community-focused engagement. She mentors students, professionals in transition and women launching businesses, volunteers with local organizations, and advises smaller startups. She also keeps a weekly reminder on her calendar: “Make it my mission to make somebody else’s day better” and “tell another individual that I appreciate them.”
Her advice to current Tommies: “Get involved, be present and enjoy the moments you are in versus looking to tomorrow,” she said. “You never know who you will meet and how that moment will impact the rest of your life.” For Leising, St. Thomas was not only where she built a career path, but where she found purpose, community and a lifelong Tommie network.
Connect with Leising on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chris-leising
“The University of St. Thomas has been a cornerstone in my life’s journey. From the discipline and camaraderie I found on the varsity soccer team, to the lifelong friendships that continue to enrich my life, meeting my husband in Old Testament class, my time at St. Thomas laid a strong foundation. I have experienced strong work connections with Tommies as my peers and supporting my son's education and sport at St Thomas has connected us to an even broader group of alumni that continue to bring value to my life. In supporting our son it reminds me of the full circle and how deeply this university has impacted our family.”
“In my professional life I champion initiatives that not only drive growth but also create positive social impact through sustainability, inclusive branding and community-focused engagements. I have a weekly reminder on my calendar to ‘Make it my mission to make somebody else's day better’ and ‘tell another individual that I appreciate them’.”
“Get involved, be present and enjoy the ‘moments you are in’ versus looking to tomorrow. You never know who you will meet and how that moment will impact the rest of your life.”
“Don’t be afraid to take a different path. Find your passion. Always keep learning. Find your “Ikigai” (your reason for being), your sweet spot: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, what you can be paid for. Network internally (when you have a job) and externally. Ask for feedback, and do something with it. Learn to ask great questions. Have a mentor and be a mentor.”
“If you're looking for a university that will challenge you academically, support you personally and prepare you to lead with purpose, St. Thomas is a place to seriously consider. It’s more than just a beautiful campus — it’s a community rooted in values. For me, it was where I grew through varsity athletics, built lifelong friendships and found mentors who helped shape my career.”