Charli Leto serves as Associate Athletic Director at Apex High School, where she also continues to coach and mentor student-athletes across multiple programs. A proud Apex alumna, Coach Leto graduated in 2008 after a standout basketball career that included a state championship appearance, multiple winning seasons, and First Team All-Conference honors as a senior. Originally from Naples, Florida, she played volleyball, basketball, and softball growing up, with basketball becoming her greatest passion. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from East Carolina University and maintains teaching licensure in Health and Physical Education along with CPR and First Aid certification.

Coach Leto’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that athletics are one of the greatest teachers of life lessons. She believes sports help students develop perseverance, leadership, accountability, and resilience, while teaching them that success is measured not by how often you fall, but by how often you get back up. As both a coach and administrator, she places strong emphasis on teamwork, trust, and communication as the foundation for both personal and program success. Her goal has always been to return to Apex; the school that helped shape her to positively impact the next generation of student-athletes.

Since joining Apex, Coach Leto has served as an assistant and head varsity girls basketball coach, flag football coach, and now Associate Athletic Director, helping lead the athletic department through growth and innovation. Her teams have earned conference success, multiple playoff appearances, and championship-level performances, including the inaugural Wake County Flag Football Championship game. What she enjoys most about Apex is that it feels like family—the deep community support, the small-town pride, and the strong relationships built between students, coaches, and families. Outside of athletics, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her dog Mia, as well as traveling and exploring new places. A fun fact—she has visited 43 states and once completed a cross-country road trip spanning 19 states, 13 national parks, and more than 7,200 miles.