Lesford Duncan, who also goes by “Les”, comes to the Greening Youth Foundation from a career background in public management in both the nonprofit and government sectors. He has worked most passionately in youth development and advocacy, environmental and social justice, career development, and behavioral health. Prior to joining the Greening Youth Foundation, Lesford served as the Associate Executive Director for Outdoor Outreach, a San Diego-based nonprofit that connects underrepresented youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. During his tenure there, Outdoor Outreach expanded their youth leadership program in partnership with State and Federal land management agencies to prepare diverse youth for careers in outdoor recreation, conservation, and advocacy. Throughout his career, Lesford’s focus has been on improving systems, and developing programs, organizations, and coalitions that enhance the well-being and resilience of, and opportunities for, youth and communities.

Lesford received his B.S. in Biology from the University of Florida, and MPH in Health Policy and Leadership from Loma Linda University. He currently serves on the board of the Outdoor Foundation. Personally, he finds joy in the outdoors through trail running, kayaking, mountaineering, and dancing (he gets that from his Jamaican roots).