Ideas That Matter: How Liesl Leach Turns Problems into Platforms

Welcome back to Varsity Ventures. I’m your host, Hendrick McConnell.

Today, we’re talking with Liesl Leach — a builder who’s never been afraid to take the hard road. She’s worked in global finance, launched startups, and led teams through digital transformation. But more importantly, she’s turned real-world problems — from supporting aging parents to helping underrepresented founders raise capital — into platforms that make a difference.

In this episode, Liesl shares how she went from teaching in rural Thailand with the Peace Corps, to raising money for her own ventures, to creating Backable, a company that’s challenging the myths of fundraising and opening doors for founders who don’t fit the Silicon Valley stereotype.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to start something, to pivot, and to fight for your ideas — this conversation is packed with lessons for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Connect to Liesl on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslleach/