Leslie Jefferson

Leslie Jefferson is a seasoned nonprofit development leader with a proven track record of managing over $80 million in funds for various nonprofits and organizations. As the strategy, evaluation and growth advisor for The Black Mill, Jefferson excels in aiding grassroots and Black-led organizations in overcoming historical barriers to fundraising. 

Jefferson previously served as the development officer for Brookings Metro at The Brookings Institution, where she played a pivotal role in achieving the organization’s annual fundraising goals to support research focused on creating prosperous, just and resilient communities. She is the former post-award grants manager for the physical sciences, mathematics and environmental justice departments at Georgetown University, where she efficiently managed multi-million dollar sponsored research grants, facilitating programs aimed at societal betterment. Jefferson's extensive experience includes over 12 years with The SEED School of Maryland, a nonprofit educational, college preparatory boarding program. Her roles ranged from family and community engagement coordinator to senior federal grants and community engagement manager. During her tenure, Jefferson contributed significantly to institutional advancement and the expansion of the educational model through S.E.E.D. Leads. In her volunteer efforts, she currently serves as co-chair of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of DC and was the organization’s former director of fundraising. 

Jefferson holds a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where she was recognized with the Most Outstanding Anthropology Major award. She also graduated magna cum laude from Kaplan University with a master’s degree in teacher education. Furthermore, Jefferson earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management and leadership as a Nonprofit TIAA Fellow and Do Good medallion graduate recipient from the University of Maryland. Jefferson later returned to the program as an instructor. Jefferson is currently a doctoral student studying philanthropic leadership at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Her applied research is focused on strategies to improve representation in U.S. philanthropy by developing high-level strategies to recruit, develop and retain Black American fundraisers to the workforce. 

Jefferson is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and resides in Washington D.C. with her two wonderful children. She holds fast to the notion that “Whom much is given, much is required.”