Ms. Lesley Rosenthal has been a Fellow of the Foundation since 2005, a member of its board since 2008, and its vice president since 2011.  She was a vital force in the Foundation’s recent adoption of the Rule of Law as the theme of the Foundation’s forthcoming three year strategic planning cycle.  This follows the successful completion of the Foundation’s prior plan under outgoing president John Gross, which dramatically increased the Foundation’s visibility and grant-making capacity.  “The Rule of Law is a powerful concept that can bring people together in these fractious times,” said Rosenthal.  “Providing access to affordable civil justice through targeted grant making to innovative legal services programs across New York State is one important way that the Foundation can improve both the reality and the public’s perception of Rule of Law adherence in our communities.”

An active member of the New York State Bar Association and many committees, Rosenthal chaired the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section, where she launched successful and durable diversity initiatives such as Smooth Moves.    

Ms. Rosenthal is completing 13 years of service as EVP General Counsel and Secretary of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in June and will become Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary of The Juilliard School in July.  One of the nation’s leading experts in nonprofit management, law, and governance, she is the author of the bestselling book, Good Counsel: Meeting the Legal Needs of Nonprofits, and a member of the Harvard University Board of Overseers. 

  She holds degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.