Nilofar Gardezi
Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation
Program Officer & Grants Manager
Nilofar Gardezi serves as a Program Officer & Grants Manager at the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, partnering with nonprofits in Contra Costa County, CA, that support arts & culture, education, and children and families. Nilofar was selected as a 2024 Council on Foundations Career Pathways Fellow and was previously recognized as a 2021 Northern California Grantmaker Rising Leader and a 2015 Mellon-ACLS Public Fellow. She brings her deep commitment to community and cultural understanding to her role on the Board of Directors of California Humanities, a statewide organization dedicated to connecting Californians through shared heritage, civic engagement, and the celebration of diverse voices. Nilofar previously served on the Board of Directors for Arts for Oakland Kids. She holds a PhD in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BA in African American Studies from Yale College.