Your Role: Development Director

Background: Rahniesha Lewis joined the leadership team of the National Foster Youth Institute in 2021 as the Development Director. She leads all fundraising efforts including grants, special events, individual giving, corporate and foundation donations. A native Angelino, Rahniesha has over 20 years’ experience as a mission-driven professional with youth development and juvenile justice focused national and regional nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. She has a unique background in policy and advocacy; program development; and fundraising. With an expertise in grants, Rahniesha has a successful history of meeting and exceeding fundraising goals. Prior to joining NFYI, she was the Grants Director at Hillsides, a Southern California organization, where she raised funds for current and former foster youth and served on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Rahniesha received an MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine University; studied political science at James Madison University; and received a BA in Liberal Arts from Concordia University Irvine. She was a graduate of the inaugural cohort of the Council of Urban Professionals Los Angeles Fellows Program.

Why you like working at NFYI: I like working with my colleagues because they are all passionate about child welfare reform and committed to change.

Passions/Hobbies/Aspirations

Rahniesha is passionate about relaying impactful stories to obtain the necessary resources to help the organization succeed. In her spare time, she travels internationally and domestically. She also loves attending concerts, the theatre and theater, and art.

Fun personal fact: Rahniesha has an alter-ego when singing karaoke.