Lesley Irminger

Lesley Irminger is the Fundraising/Donor Relations Manager for Persevere, a multi-state nonprofit empowering justice-involved individuals through technology education for better opportunities post release. It is committed to a culture of empowerment, integrity, and belonging, where everyone is valued. It believes in the transformative power of education, lifelong learning, and the right for all to grow and succeed.

Before returning to the nonprofit sector, Lesley worked at George Mason for 15+ years in the College of Science, College of Public Health, Office of University Events, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She is a proud alumna of the Arts Management Program at George Mason, where she currently serves as an adjunct professor.  She has extensive experience in event planning/coordination/execution, finance management and budgeting, contract management, fundraising, and non-profit management.  

She has over twenty years of arts management experience in theatre management, fundraising, events management, marketing, production/company management, and contracting.  With over ten years at Mason, Lesley has become a seasoned expert in higher education events management and contracting. 

Lesley also serves as an arts consultant for Bright Solutions. A financial consulting firm that works with non-profit organizations across the country.  She’s worked with local organizations such as the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, the Washington Chorus, Pyramid Atlantic, Metropolitan School of the Arts, and other organizations in the metro DC area.  Before her career as an arts manager, Lesley was a professional stage manager. She worked professionally at the Clarence Brown Theatre, Heritage Theatre Festival, Theatre of the First Amendment, Lyric Opera of Virginia, and other theatres in the region.  She is a former adjunct with the School of Theatre where she created and taught the 3-credit Stage Management class and mentored student stage managers for five years. 

Lesley received her BA in theatre with a concentration in Stage Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In her spare time, Lesley is the proud mom of an adorable “up-and-coming” Arts Manager, Sophie, and enjoys finding accessible arts at an affordable price for children.  In addition to her love for the arts, Lesley has relocated to Knoxville, TN (her home turf) and enjoys finding new and eclectic spots to visit and enjoying the beautiful Smoky Mountains."