Jesse (Jesus) Leon Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

I’M NOT BROKEN (Aug. 2022) & NO ESTOY ROTO (Jan. 2023)Jesse Leon tells an extraordinary story of resilience and survival, shining a light on a childhood spent devastated by sex trafficking, street life, and substance abuse. Jesse Leon’s childhood was violently ruptured during a dangerous and harrowing encounter at a local gift shop when he was eleven years old leaving Jesse with a deadly secret. Overlooked by state-sanctioned institutions and systems intended to help victims of abuse, neglected like many other low-income individuals, Jesse spiraled into cycles of suicide and substance abuse. I’m Not Broken is the heartbreaking and remarkable story of the journey Jesse takes to win back his life, leading him to the steps of Harvard University.For public speaking videos of Jesse Leon please visit jesseleonauthor.com

Currently consulting foundations such as the Walton Family Foundation, the Northwest Arkansas Council Foundation, confidential impact fund investors, and real estate developers to:- Create non-LIHTC workforce housing impact investment funds.- Create, refine and execute philanthropic investment strategies utilizing grants, program related investments (PRIs), and social impact investments for measurable and impactful outcomes across issue areas.- Project management, acquisition, and financing of mixed-use and mixed-income housing developments in both urban and rural areas including LGBT senior housing and non-LIHTC workforce housing developments.- Conduct due diligence, risk analysis, underwriting and financial audit reviews for impact investment funds utilizing foundation and private sector investments. - Identify and manage grantee relationships for foundations including end to end grant administration from application review to grant close outs, site visits, and annual reporting analysis.- Provide certified executive coaching on DEIB for corporate, philanthropic, and nonprofit clients.- Conduct racial equity, diversity and inclusion audits and employee perception surveys for private and nonprofit organizations. - Consulted the Humboldt Area Foundation to analyze its impact investing portfolio, determine opportunities for project and housing investment, and connect the region and leaders to prospective resources.• Consulted the Gates Foundation to create new nonprofit relationships in the bilingual education space.

New York, Ny, Us

As a Bellagio Resident, Jesse's work is focused on creating a culturally informed framework for governments and foundations worldwide, designed to support male sex trafficking survivors in transitioning from surviving to thriving.Currently, no comprehensive, culturally informed framework exists to:- Address the complex issues of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of men, boys, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.- Leverage philanthropic resources to combat sex trafficking and develop wraparound services that help male survivors heal through culturally and trauma-informed approaches.- Build effective, cross-sector public-private partnerships.- Implement culturally competent approaches tailored to the unique needs of male and 2SLGBTQ+ survivors.This work aims to equip stakeholders with the tools to identify shared goals and foster partnerships that transcend silos. By aligning resources, this framework supports impactful, global solutions that go beyond a U.S.-centric approach, promoting culturally informed strategies for a more inclusive and effective fight against sex trafficking.

Denver, Co, Us

Helped create a philanthropic portfolio focused on blended philanthropy (program related investments and grants) for affordable housing, social determinants of health, and physical infrastructure development for intergenerational spaces.

Washington, D.C., Us

Managed a multimillion dollar federal grant portfolio for Choice Neighborhoods across the country to implement HUD's signature place-based initiative to transform distressed neighborhoods into viable, mixed-income neighborhoods with access to high-performing schools, public assets, transportation, and employment opportunities. Grants ranged between $500,000 to $32.5 million per grant. Internal expert on Tribal and environmental compliance issues including Part 50/58, Phase I/ II ESAs, and NEPA. Conducted underwriting, due diligence, and environmental review for housing developments and HUD grants. Represented HUD in cross agency grant collaborations with the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, Department of Justice, and Department of Transportation, to ensure long-term sustainability for various Presidential Initiatives.

Evaluated and restructured a $10 million grant portfolio for collective impact and cradle to career strategies in low-income neighborhoods in Miami-Dade County.

New York, Ny, Us

Aligned the Bank’s corporate social responsibility strategy with C-level business integration to increase business revenue, raising the philanthropic budget by 500% in one year from $2 million to $10 million. Facilitated conversations between high net worth clients and their families (including sports celebrities) with private bankers to identify and guide philanthropic interests. Provided end-to-end administration of grants to ensure successful outcomes for arts and culture, STEM education programs, community development, affordable housing, and small business development.Prepared, presented and approved financial risk analysis for multi-million dollar credit approval packages as a senior member of the Finance and Credit Approval Committee. Maintained positive grantee relationships, managed the grant-making process, and tracked and evaluated measurable outcomes. Reviewed and analyzed financing programs to ensure compliance with Federal Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) regulations.

Charlotte, Nc, Us

Vice President/Real Estate Development Officer: Banc of America Community Development Corp.Increased mixed-use, environmentally friendly, multi-family real estate development production by 920% within 4 years from $250 million to over $2.3 billion. Formed and led project teams of attorneys, general contractors, cost estimators, inspectors, engineers, architects, and private consultants for numerous complicated multi-million dollar projects. Conducted site selection, financial feasibility, proforma modeling, underwriting, credit risk, project financing, acquisition, contract negotiations and procurement, construction and asset management. In-house expert on market analysis and project management of triple bottom line investments. Managed multi-lingual marketing and community engagement including public speaking to a wide range of audiences including high-ranking officials from local, state, and federal government. Obtained federal, state, and local public funding allocations including New Market Tax Credits, 4% and 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, SHIP, HOME, Brownfield tax rebates, and other sources. Ensured compliance to CRA and OCC regulations. Member of internal national team on Green Building Initiatives and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Coral Gables, Fl, Us

Program Manager: Regional and Neighborhood Equity Project (RNEP); Housing Project Increased budget by 1,600% from $250 thousand to over $4 million within 4 years. Established a working group of over 20 national foundations (including Ford and Rockefeller Foundations), and managed its multi-million dollar demonstration project grants for housing, health, and environmentally friendly economic development projects. Managed philanthropy demonstration projects in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Tribal Lands with government officials, Native American and First Nation Tribes, banks (including Federal Reserve Banks), and nonprofits that leveraged other grants and program related investments (PRI’s) for housing, transit oriented developments, creative place-making, and bridging the digital divide. Authored and edited publications and strategic communications for the field of philanthropy.

Master Degree, Public Policy

Curex Fellow, Center For Urban Redevelopment Excellence

Bachelor Degree, American Studies

Education Abroad Program, International Business

Public Policy International Affairs Fellow (Ppia), Ppia

Master Of Public Policy

Associate'S Degree, Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities