Leslie Picker joined CNBC in February 2017 as a reporter, covering private equity and hedge funds. She is based at CNBC Global Headquarters, and her reporting appears on television and CNBC's digital platforms. Picker received a Society of Business Editors and Writers award in 2018 for her investigation into the Puerto Rico debt crisis. Previously, Picker was a reporter at The New York Times where she covered deals. Her beat encompassed mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, venture capital, private equity, restructuring and shareholder activism. Prior to The New York Times, Picker was a reporter at Bloomberg News where she reported on initial public offerings. There, she also contributed to Bloomberg Businessweek, Bloomberg Television and Bloomberg Radio. Prior to becoming a reporter, Picker was a segment producer for Bloomberg Television. She began her career as a booker at Fox Business Network. Picker graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, earning a bachelor's degree in political science. She also earned a master's in journalism from Columbia University, graduating with honors, and an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business.