Lessie E. Askew, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP

Lessie E. Askew, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP is the Chief People Officer at New Venture Fund (NVF).1 With over 15 years of experience in human resources leadership and equity and belonging, Lessie brings a wealth of expertise to her role at NVF.1

Professional Background

Lessie's career has been focused on social justice and healthcare environments. Before joining NVF, she held several notable positions:

• Chief People Officer at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, an LGBTQ+ focused healthcare network in New York City1
• National Director of People Capability & Culture at Amnesty International (USA)1
• Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Planned Parenthood of New York City14

Responsibilities at New Venture Fund

As Chief People Officer, Lessie's key responsibilities include:

• Stewarding NVF's equity and belonging commitment, goals, and priorities
• Serving as a strategic partner to hosted projects on culture, team-building, and employee engagement
• Providing oversight and support on HR operational matters1

Education and Certifications

Lessie holds the following qualifications:

• MBA from the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College1
• BA in Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook1
• Professional certifications: PHR (Professional in Human Resources) and SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional)2

Recent Achievements

In April 2024, Lessie completed a Mediation and Conflict Management training at the Program on Negotiation, further enhancing her skills in people management and conflict resolution.3

Lessie E. Askew is known for her passion for producing positive results and her dedication to social justice-focused People Operations.2 Her diverse experience in healthcare, direct service, and social justice environments has shaped her approach to human resources and organizational culture.