Experience
Elizabeth Leonard is Managing Executive Editor and West Coast Bureau Chief for PEOPLE, where she's worked in leadership positions across the brand's entertainment and human interest verticals for 25 years. An award-winning journalist who began her career as a reporter for Newsweek in New York, Elizabeth is an industry leader in access journalism and breaking news. Based in Los Angeles, she oversees the brand's thriving west coast bureau and its creative cross-platform operations, manages key industry partnerships and relationships in Hollywood and regularly reports and writes cover stories (some recent favorites include George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Oprah Winfrey and Harrison Ford). She's been recognized by the LA Press Club with several Southern California Journalism awards and in 2021 received a FOLIO Eddie & Ozzie Award for her world exclusive cover story featuring Vanessa Bryant for PEOPLE’s Women Changing the World franchise.
About PEOPLE
PEOPLE, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, delivers the most trustworthy celebrity news and captivating human interest stories, connecting you to the pulse of American culture. Since our first issue hit stands in 1974, we have been striving to tell compelling stories about the people behind the issues, as opposed to just the issues themselves. We are your everyday escape, taking you inside the lives of intriguing stars, newsmakers, up-and-comers and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. We serve and delight you by providing ideas about beauty, food and style through the lens of the people influencing the trends. And we are a force for good by telling stories of hope, optimism and kindness that drive conversation and inspire action. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.
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