Kevin Leyden has a distinguished and diverse leadership background rooted in the Lasallian tradition and charism. Having served La Salle Institute as a member of the Board of Trustees, he knows what makes our school special. After retiring from Albany Medical Center, he joined us as a volunteer in 2023. Mr. Leyden’s enthusiasm and dedication to our community led to his appointment as Vice-President for Campus Life in 2024, where he continued his passion for making the Cadet experience the best it can possibly be. In the summer of 2026, LSI turned to him to serve as our interim Principal as we prepare for and envision our promising future.
Mr. Leyden graduated from La Salle Academy in NYC, and shortly after, joined the Brothers of the Christian Schools. He often reflects on how this rewarding experience laid the foundation for everything that has followed. He began his career with a 12-year apostolate, first teaching at NYC grade schools and high schools. He worked at La Salle School in Albany, where he rose from teacher to school administrator and then held administrative roles at other Lasallian ministries. From there, he spent 10 years with New York State as Child Welfare Director and was appointed by Gov. Mario M. Cuomo as Director of the “Decade of the Child,” which spearheaded his statewide initiative to improve children and family services through cross-agency innovation and collaboration. Recruited by IBM in 1995, Mr. Leyden held various executive positions involving local, national, and international responsibilities. At IBM, he led their efforts to turn Tech Valley High School from a concept into reality and later served as co-chair of its Business Alliance. In 2013, Mr. Leyden joined Albany Medical Center as a Senior Vice President charged with developing non-traditional partnerships and alliances to leverage existing assets and generate new revenue. Mr. Leyden led Albany Medical College’s effort to create a biotech incubator known as the Biomedical Acceleration and Commercialization Center (BACC), as well as forming other strategic partnerships and coalitions that benefited the medical center.
Mr. Leyden holds a B.A. from Manhattan College and an M.S. in Administration/Business from the University at Albany, as well as advanced certificates from Harvard University’s Kennedy and TJ Watson Schools. He also holds permanent certification as a social studies and remedial reading teacher. He has served on the faculty at Albany Medical College and as an adjunct at SUNY Albany, School of Social Welfare. A resident of Glenmont with his wife, Bernice, they have two adult daughters.
Mr. Leyden looks forward to serving La Salle Institute’s students, families, and community in addition to his continuing commitment to the Cadet experience.
