Les Leigh Ford
About Les Leigh Ford
Les Leigh Ford is a Policy Program Manager at Urban Institute, where he has worked since 2021. He has a diverse background in education and policy, with previous roles at Mass Insight Education and The Kresge Foundation, and holds advanced degrees from Duke University and Harvard University.
Work at Urban Institute
Les Leigh Ford currently serves as a Policy Program Manager at the Urban Institute, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he focuses on providing guidance to funders to enhance program outcomes for organizations and communities. His work involves utilizing evidence-based research to inform the design and adaptation of grant programs, ensuring they effectively serve nonprofits and vulnerable populations. Prior to this role, he worked as a Policy Associate at the same organization from 2018 to 2021, contributing to various policy initiatives.
Education and Expertise
Les Leigh Ford has an extensive educational background. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sociology from Duke University, completing his studies from 2014 to 2018. He also holds a Master's degree in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, which he completed in 2013. Earlier, he obtained a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Teaching from the University of Michigan in 2006, following a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and English from the same institution in 2005. His expertise includes qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
Background
Les Leigh Ford has a diverse professional background in education and policy. He began his career as a teacher at University Preparatory School in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked from 2007 to 2012. He later transitioned to program management roles, including a position at Mass Insight Education from 2013 to 2014. In 2016, he served as an Executive Office Summer Fellow at The Kresge Foundation. His experiences have shaped his focus on advancing equity in nonprofits and philanthropy.
Achievements
Les Leigh Ford has made significant contributions to the fields of education and policy through his research and advisory roles. He specializes in evaluating philanthropic and government-funded programs, employing in-depth interviews and survey analyses to assess their effectiveness. His research emphasizes advancing equity and dismantling structural racism within nonprofits. Additionally, he advises organizations on strengthening measurement systems to promote equity and inclusion, showcasing his commitment to improving outcomes for underserved communities.