Lesley Carson

Lesley Carson has a significant background in the field of human rights advocacy and philanthropy. Lesley began their career as a Program Director and later a Program Officer at Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, focusing on international human rights. Prior to this, Lesley worked as a Human Rights Consultant. Their most notable role was as the Executive Director of Forefront, a global network of young human rights defenders, where they developed programs, raised funds, and advocated for the rights and safety of activists. Lesley also served as the Interim Advocacy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International USA, where they coordinated advocacy efforts on human rights issues. Additionally, they gained experience working in the United States Senate, collaborating with the Foreign Operations Subcommittee on human rights language and foreign aid appropriations.

Lesley Carson (she/her) holds a Master's degree in Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs from Columbia University | SIPA. Lesley also obtained a Bachelor's degree in Sociology & Government from Harvard University.