Visionary
Tasha Lester, a Chicago native and certified MBE/WBE business owner, is the founder and principal consultant of Tasha Lester Consulting, Inc. She leads organizations through strategic growth by strengthening operations, refining leadership, and aligning systems for long-term success.
She partners with businesses and institutions to solve meaningful problems, not just meet requirements. Her approach is direct, practical, and rooted in lived experience. Tasha is deeply committed to helping people lead with confidence and build systems that last, bringing that energy into every engagement.
Lester holds an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development, and a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Social Sciences with a minor in Psychology. Her educational background informs her ability to craft solutions that are grounded in real-world experience, centered on people, and designed to drive meaningful results.
She taught two graduate-level courses, Strategic Management and Compensation, at the University of Miami as part of the Human Resources Management certification program within the Division of Continuing and International Education. She is highly regarded by the university and its graduates for the depth of her engagement and the lasting influence she made on their learning journey.
Lester served on the Planning & Zoning Board for the City of West Palm Beach, FL, and maintained an active role in the Chicago City Council. Committed to economic development and community progress, she worked tirelessly to drive meaningful change in her former South Loop neighborhood. Partnering with local leadership, she contributed to initiatives focused on revitalization and shaping civic and public policy.
From 2019 to 2023, she served as a Community Development Board Member for the Greater Region YMCA in St. Louis, Missouri, where she helped guide programs focused on equity, youth engagement, and neighborhood revitalization. Prior to joining the board, Lester volunteered with the YRead program, working directly with children to strengthen reading comprehension and foster a lifelong love of learning. Her service reflects a deep belief in the power of education, access, and community-centered growth.
She also embraced the role of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with the National CASA Association, passionately championing the needs of abused and neglected children within the Department of Children and Family Services. She remains a dedicated mandated reporter, committed to protecting vulnerable youth.
Lester currently serves on the Industry Advisory Board for the Family and Workforce Centers of America (FWCA) and on the board of The Covering, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering men, particularly fathers, who are navigating emotional abuse, domestic violence, and systemic barriers. Her advisory roles reflect a continued dedication to bridging systems and solutions that uplift underserved populations.
She leads with integrity, heart, and a belief in possibility, creating space for others to grow, thrive, and move forward with confidence.
