Ms. Lesley graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in Counseling. She has amassed a career of working with at-risk youth and families for over 20+ years. During this time, she has been in leadership roles in residential programming as well as with Douglas County juvenile probation in the state of Nebraska. Ms. Lesley is incredibly proud of the efforts she put forth co-chairing several committees that worked toward juvenile reform in Omaha. Ms. Lesley has had oversight of programs that have helped support and cultivate the youth of Omaha, as well as, provided guidance and mentorship to many young women in the community. Additionally, she has been an adjunct instructor at Metro CC since 2008. Ms. Lesley is currently the Client Support Services Director at the Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) in Omaha, NE. The WCA’s mission is to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking, and their children, to achieve safety and empower them to lead self-determined lives. Ms. Lesly has oversight of more than a dozen self-sufficiency case managers and advocates who work directly with clients to support, empower and ensure safety. Being a survivor herself, she was driven to take on this role and to fight against continued violence in the community. Ms. Lesley is very passionate about influencing legislative changes that are more survivor focused and hopes to eliminate victim shaming and stigma that is attached to gender based violence.