Originally a research scientist, Lesley entered the wonderful world of fundraising in 2001 after moving to New Zealand. Her first fundraising role was as Development Manager for the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, supporting the School of Medicine Foundation. Later she joined social services agency Methodist Mission Northern as part of their senior leadership team. Lesley lists rebranding the organisation to Lifewise, launching The Lifewise Big Sleepout and securing significant multi-year funding for a new approach to tackling homelessness as some of the highlights of her time there.

In 2015 Lesley joined the team at The Starship Foundation as Head of Philanthropy. Her role includes responsibility for the Foundation’s major donor programme, lead for significant project funding, and part of the leadership team working on strategic developments to enhance the critical support the Foundation provides to Starship’s clinical community and further improve health outcomes for New Zealand children.  In her spare time, Lesley uses her fundraising and NFP experience to assist Auckland’s first food rescue organisation Fair Food, where she is Co-Chair.