James R. Lester
James R. Lester
Director of Development | National Right to Life
An accomplished political management and fundraising strategist passionate about people and public service, James R. Lester prepared for his career by interning for U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions before earning a Bachelor of Arts in history, with minors in political science and religion, from Huntingdon College. He began as a field director for the Congressional Leadership Fund and a deputy campaign manager for Georgians for Belle Isle. Between 2019 and 2021, he was active as the regional political director for Byrne for Senate and a political strategist for The Lukens Company. He also served as the manager of development and major gifts officer with ALEC and National Right to Life, where he led all aspects of fundraising.
Prior to National Right to Life, Mr. Lester has found success as the principal and founder of Lester Consulting LLC, a firm that provides such services as copywriting, email marketing, database management and analysis, major donor strategy and cultivation, event planning and management, PAC fundraising, and more. In this capacity, he’s utilized more than a decade of expertise, namely his ability to adapt and raise funds for clients across different states; he previously managed 10 congressional clients, including a successful grassroots campaign for Karen Handel’s 2017 race in Georgia, despite the significant resources invested by other parties.
Currently, Mr. Lester serves as the Director of Development at National Right to Life, where he spearheads direct mail, telemarketing, major donors, email marketing, and acquisition strategies for the organization.
Looking ahead, Mr. Lester aims to grow National Right to Life’s revenue streams while also focusing on his growth as a leader and mentor in the nonprofit space. Upon reflecting on his career, he credits his success to resilience, believing there are more challenges than victories in life, and that facing and overcoming difficulties is essential for personal growth, especially in the fundraising and nonprofit sectors.
In addition to his primary endeavors, Mr. Lester is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Direct Marketing Association of Washington, D.C., previously served on Huntington College’s Alumni Board of Directors, and is active at Waterfront Church and Be the Edge ministry.
Press Release
James R. Lester Celebrated for Excellence in the Field of Political Management
James R. Lester is a distinguished leader in fundraising and political management with over 10 years of experience
ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 16, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — James R. Lester is a distinguished biographee of Marquis Who’s Who. He was recently spotlighted in New York City’s Times Square on a 22-story screen that is passed by an estimated 1.5 million people daily. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are chosen from among a pool of the most prominent professionals and are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Since 2016, Mr. Lester has served as the principal and founder of Lester Consulting LLC, cementing his status as a distinguished professional in the field of political management and fundraising. With over a decade of professional experience, he has honed his expertise in working with federal super PACs and assisting with fundraising efforts. His process-oriented approach and ability to balance daily tasks with long-term goals have been instrumental in his success.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Lester was a major gifts officer at the National Right to Life from 2023 to 2024, where he secured a significant estate gift for a national rights nonprofit, marking a major accomplishment in his career. From 2021 to 2023, he served as the manager of development at the American Legislative Exchange Council, further solidifying his reputation in the field. Mr. Lester’s career also includes a tenure as a political strategist at The Lukens Company from 2019 to 2021, where he managed 10 congressional clients simultaneously, showcasing his exceptional multitasking abilities. In 2019, he was the regional political director for Byrne for Senate and previously held the position of deputy national field director at the Congressional Leadership Fund in 2018.
Mr. Lester’s earlier roles include deputy campaign manager for Georgians for Belle Isle from 2017 to 2018 and field director at the Congressional Leadership Fund in 2017. He began his career as a junior consultant for Jeb from 2015 to 2016 after interning with U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions and at the Family Research Council in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Mr. Lester’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in history from Huntingdon College, where he graduated in 2015. During his college years, he was recognized as an academic all-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America in 2014, underscoring his dedication and resilience. His professional affiliations include membership in the American Association of Political Consultants since 2024 and serving on the alumni board of directors at Huntingdon College from 2021 to 2024. He is also associated with the Direct Marketing Association of Washington and American Fundraising Professional, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and networking within his industry.
In addition to his professional endeavors, Mr. Lester has been civically engaged as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution since 2015. He has also contributed as a greeter at Church of the Highlands from 2018 to 2019 and volunteered with Be the Edge, demonstrating his dedication to community service.
Outside his professional life, Mr. Lester enjoys playing golf, football, basketball and guitar. He values traveling and spending quality time with his family, including his spouse, Mandy, and their child, Miles. Looking ahead, Mr. Lester aims to grow his company’s revenue by hiring additional associates and outsourcing work to enhance client satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Mr. Lester attributes much of his success to resilience — a lesson imparted by influential figures such as his grandfathers, Smith Lanier and Russell Lester, as well as his father, Russ. These mentors instilled in him the importance of hard work and grit, shaping him into the accomplished professional he is today.
