Julie Kennedy Lesch, MPA, is an Engagement Officer at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). She acts as a liaison between the Engagement and Science teams, helping manage the organization’s research portfolio and assuring engagement of patients and other stakeholders throughout the course of research projects.
Before joining PCORI, Lesch was programs manager of a private foundation that supported the implementation of effective, evidence-based programs designed to reduce asthma symptoms and improve health outcomes for children and families living in medically underserved communities. She partnered with academic scientists, clinicians, community centers, school districts, neighborhood groups, and other funders in the implementation of community-based healthcare interventions and co-led the multi-site evaluation process. She also was instrumental in the formation of the Childhood Asthma Leadership Coalition, a national multi-sector advocacy coalition to raise awareness and advance public policies that improve the health of children with asthma. Most recently, she provided program management and research support in the field of asthma and allergy patient advocacy and education. Prior to working in public health, she was involved in youth development and education-related nonprofit organizations in both programmatic and fundraising capacities.
Lesch received her BA in sociology and English from Tulane University, and her MPA in nonprofit management and public policy from New York University.