Bio

Jessica Leonard is a Partner at Evolution Capital Partners, a Cleveland-based, private investment firm dedicated to small entrepreneurially owned businesses up to $3 million of EBITDA. As an accomplished accounting and investment executive, she brings extensive deal-side and audit-side experience to skillfully guide Partner Companies across comprehensive financial leadership and drive capabilities through finance, investment, treasury, and tax performance. She discerns sophisticated deal-side earnings and financial analysis to qualify support at the fund level and answer the pressing questions of complex due diligence. Prior to joining ECP, Jessica notably served as an Assurance Senior Manager and Senior Manager for the National Office of Risk Management for RSM US LLP, the 5th largest accounting firm in the U.S. Here she guided audit and review engagements for privately held and private equity-sponsored businesses, investment companies, and employee benefit plans. She successfully led private clients with both domestic and international operations, spanning diverse industries, including consumer products, and industrials – both manufactures and distributors. Jessica guided clients through various complex engagements, including buy-side and sell-side due diligence, platform and add-on acquisitions, debt modifications, private placement offerings, IPOs, and adoption of new accounting pronouncements. She brings deep experience across private equity, venture capital funds, hedge funds, SBIC funds, and SEC-registered investment advisors. Jessica launched her career at KPMG LLP, where she was a Senior Associate. Jessica earned her MBA and BA in Accounting from Baldwin Wallace University, where she graduated Co-Valedictorian and was a multi-scholarship award recipient. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a long-standing member of the AICPA, the OSCPA, and the Association for Corporate Growth. She has twice been featured in Crain’s Cleveland as a distinguished People on the Move. She currently serves on the Baldwin Wallace Accounting Advisory Board, the LifeAct Board of Trustees, and the Volunteer Leadership Council for the American Cancer Society. She has ardently contributed as a City Advocate for the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and has tirelessly supported nonprofit organizations and events, including Relay for Life and VeloSano. Most recently, Jessica was accepted to the 2022 class of Cleveland Bridge Builders. Jessica and her husband call downtown Cleveland home, where they enjoy spending time with family, friends and their two dogs, supporting local businesses, and experiencing the arts, culture, parks, sports, and great food that Cleveland offers.