Outdoor Foundation (OF), the philanthropic arm of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), named Lesford Duncan, MPH, as executive director.
Duncan has over a decade of experience in public management in government and nonprofit sectors. OIA said, “he is a proven and collaborative leader in outdoor equity and youth development and has leveraged philanthropy, nonprofit leadership and programmatic best practices to promote the resilience and well-being of children, families and communities.”
Duncan’s previous roles include senior director of programs and associate executive director at Outdoor Outreach and, most recently, as CEO of the Greening Youth Foundation.
“Lesford brings to this role an impressive track record of creating outdoor opportunities for children, youth and families who have faced barriers to making the outdoors a part of their lives,” said Amy Dominguez-Arms, OF Board chair. “The board is excited to work with Lesford to expand our support for Thrive Outside Communities, where diverse civic leaders are mobilizing and coordinating resources to make meaningful outdoor experiences available to all. With Lesford at the helm, we look forward to capitalizing on our valuable partnership with OIA to magnify our impact in the years ahead.”
“With the support of the Outdoor Foundation board and team, I am honored to lead the Foundation and to contribute to a mission that resonates deeply with me: fostering deep and sustained relationships between communities and nature and cultivating a more inclusive outdoors where we all find joy, recreation, and well-being,” said Duncan. “Together, with the talented team at the Outdoor Foundation and our partners at OIA, we look forward to supporting collaborative and innovative efforts to increase outdoor access and promote community health through outdoor recreation.”
Images courtesy Outdoor Foundation
