In the complex world of nonprofit development and environmental justice, Madeleine Lesser stands out not by loud accolades, but through steady, meaningful work. Based in Miami, Florida, she currently serves as the Philanthropy Director at Industrious Labs, bringing with her a long track record of building partnerships, advancing justice-driven agendas, and nurturing high-impact fundraising operations.
From international affairs to environmental causes and medical research, Lesser’s journey reflects a consistent dedication to social justice and strategic philanthropy. This article explores the steps, decisions, and career chapters that have shaped her professional trajectory.
Academic Roots and Early Worldview
Madeleine Lesser’s foundation in public policy and international studies began at Muhlenberg College, where she earned her BA in International Studies and Philosophy, graduating cum laude in 2010. This blend of social science and critical thinking provided a framework for understanding global systems, ethical decision-making, and societal structures.
Her academic path wasn’t limited to domestic studies. In 2009, she expanded her learning experience internationally at the University of Copenhagen/DIS, where she focused on European Politics. This time abroad exposed her to alternative models of governance and social organization, deepening her appreciation for transnational justice efforts.
Lesser’s drive to engage with global systems carried into her graduate work. She completed an MA in International Affairs with a concentration in Social Justice from The New School in 2013, followed by further studies in Political Science and Public Policy at the Graduate Center, City University of New York.
Laying the Groundwork: Early Roles in Advocacy and Development
Lesser’s transition into nonprofit work began in earnest after her academic pursuits. Her first substantial role came with DIS – Study Abroad in Denmark, where she served as a Program Assistant for the European Politics and Human Rights Program. This role was not just administrative—it allowed her to help shape the educational experience of future international students navigating justice-focused themes.
Upon returning to the U.S., she joined the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs in New York as an Administrative Assistant, where she honed her grant writing and donor engagement skills. Although the position was entry-level, the exposure to global ethics and development work was pivotal. It confirmed her interest in shaping narratives around funding, research, and global cooperation.
By 2012, she had moved into a Program and Development Officer role at the Rainforest Fund, a New York-based nonprofit focused on indigenous rights and rainforest protection. Over nearly four years, Lesser helped manage programs and donor engagement strategies that supported communities across multiple continents. It was a position that combined her love for policy, advocacy, and environmental sustainability.
Scaling Up at the Environmental Defense Fund
In 2016, Lesser joined the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), one of the most influential environmental organizations in the U.S., and remained there for almost four years. Her time at EDF marked a turning point in her career—she transitioned from program management to specialized fundraising and donor stewardship, taking on several evolving roles:
- Principal Gifts Coordinator (2016–2018): Here, she worked on backend coordination of significant donations, supporting the infrastructure behind some of EDF’s most important contributions.
- Senior Principal Gifts Coordinator (2018–2019): Promoted to a more senior position, Lesser gained direct exposure to high-net-worth donor strategy and campaign execution.
- Major Gifts Officer (2019–2020): In this final role at EDF, she managed a donor portfolio and built strong, trust-based relationships with philanthropists, often navigating complex, long-term engagement strategies.
Lesser’s work at EDF helped sharpen her focus on how fundraising intersects with environmental impact. It also positioned her as a trusted bridge between mission-driven projects and the people who fund them.
Entering the Fintech Philanthropy Space: FreeWill
In 2020, Lesser took her fundraising knowledge in a new direction by joining FreeWill, a platform that helps individuals create wills and legacy giving plans online. As Partnerships Lead, she helped nonprofits better leverage the FreeWill tool to grow their planned giving strategies.
This role combined tech and philanthropy—two worlds that don’t always overlap naturally. But Lesser’s experience allowed her to simplify complex ideas, introduce nonprofit partners to new donor trends, and encourage organizations to think long-term about financial sustainability.
During her tenure, she contributed to campaigns like “Make-A-Will Month,” producing content on how nonprofits could increase planned gifts. She also shared strategies for cultivating millennial donors—a key demographic in modern philanthropy.
Advancing Healthcare Fundraising at University of Miami
Lesser’s next chapter brought her into the healthcare world. In 2021, she was appointed Director of Development at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. For nearly two years, she led donor engagement initiatives to support medical research, student scholarships, and community outreach.
This was a shift from environmental causes, but it reinforced her adaptability as a philanthropy leader. Healthcare development comes with its own set of challenges—emotional appeals, ethical fundraising, and long-term commitments—and Lesser managed them with a grounded, mission-first approach.
Leading the Charge at Industrious Labs
In June 2023, Lesser stepped into her current role as Philanthropy Director at Industrious Labs, a full-time leadership position focused on transforming the industrial sector to address climate change. The organization concentrates on decarbonizing heavy industries like cement and steel through policy, research, and collaborative innovation.
At Industrious Labs, Lesser is leading fundraising efforts to ensure the team has the resources needed to push forward transformative change. Her responsibilities include:
- Developing donor strategies that align with long-term industrial decarbonization.
- Securing major gifts from foundations, corporations, and individual donors.
- Working closely with campaign staff to translate technical work into accessible donor messaging.
This role brings together many aspects of her past experiences—international policy, environmental strategy, and high-level fundraising—into a unified mission.
Volunteer Work and Mentorship
Beyond her professional roles, Madeleine Lesser has consistently found time for community involvement. Since 2019, she has volunteered as a mentor with iMentor, an organization that pairs adult professionals with high school students from underserved communities.
Through this work, Lesser helps students navigate life after high school—whether through college planning, career exploration, or building self-confidence. It’s a personal commitment that reflects her values: long-term thinking, access to opportunity, and investing in the next generation.
Professional Philosophy and Legacy
Madeleine Lesser’s career is marked by consistency in purpose rather than flash. She doesn’t chase titles for their own sake. Instead, she seeks out organizations that match her values and give her the chance to create tangible change.
Her philosophy toward fundraising is pragmatic: build relationships, understand donor motivations, and always stay focused on the mission. Whether working in healthcare, environmental causes, or tech-enabled philanthropy, Lesser sees donors not as wallets, but as partners.
What makes her work stand out is the ability to move between sectors while maintaining a clear sense of direction. She’s not tied to a single industry but remains loyal to a core set of values: justice, sustainability, and collaboration.
Looking Ahead
As the philanthropic world continues to shift—with younger donors, digital tools, and increasingly global concerns—professionals like Madeleine Lesser will play a vital role in shaping how causes connect with capital.
At Industrious Labs, her current work is only just beginning. With industrial decarbonization set to become a major climate front in the coming decade, having someone who understands both systems thinking and donor ecosystems will be key.
Her ability to translate policy goals into compelling donor narratives positions her uniquely for this challenge. Whether it’s through campaign design, major gifts, or movement-building strategy, Lesser is contributing to solutions that matter.
Conclusion
Madeleine Lesser’s career path offers a case study in what committed, thoughtful philanthropy leadership can look like in the modern era. From Copenhagen to New York, from environmental nonprofits to academic medicine, she’s consistently shown up where purpose meets execution.
Her story isn’t about rapid ascents or headline-making donations. Instead, it’s about showing up, doing the work, and keeping the focus on systems-level change. In a sector that often chases trends, Lesser reminds us of the value of consistency, credibility, and clear values.