Leslie Lynch, Chief Philanthropy Officer, brings over 20 years of experience in fundraising, corporate engagement, volunteer management, and organizational change management to Starfish Family Services. Prior to joining Starfish, Leslie held the position of Director of Institutional Advancement for Pope Francis Center, an organization focused on serving the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in Detroit. While at PFC, she provided leadership and support for all aspects of fundraising, marketing, and events, including two $1M+ galas and a $40M capital campaign for a one-of-a-kind facility to eradicate chronic homelessness in Detroit.
Prior to joining Pope Francis Center, Leslie spent 17 years at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. The last five years she was the Senior Director, Corporate Relations where she oversaw corporate giving and employee giving campaigns and managed the Campaign Cabinet, the organization’s volunteer fundraising committee. Throughout her time with UWSEM, Leslie was involved in strategic planning, managing organizational change, and working cross-functionally to support the organization’s mission. She was a member of the first cohort of United Way Worldwide’s Global Resident Fellow Program where she had the opportunity to learn from colleagues around the world about how nonprofits serve their communities.
Leslie holds an MBA with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Lawrence Technological University and a BA in Economics and Religious Studies from Kalamazoo College. She also has a Certificate in Fundraising Management from The Fund Raising School at Indiana University.
A metro-Detroit native, Leslie resides in Livonia with her husband, Steven, and their three sons.