Little League® International has announced Lisa Lessun as its new Grants Manager, effective September 8, 2026.
“With her extensive experience in grants management and development, Lisa will play an integral role in Little League’s philanthropic efforts, allowing our program to work alongside generous supporters to remove barriers to participation, strengthen local leagues and districts, facilitate amazing LLWS experiences, and create more opportunities for children and volunteers around the world,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Office. “Lisa’s expertise will help us build momentum to expand those efforts and build meaningful relationships that allow us to invest into the communities we serve.”
In this role, Lessun will be responsible fo overseing all aspects of the grant function to benefit key Little League stakeholders, including local leagues and districts, youth participants, volunteers, partners, as well as Little League International strategies and programs. Additionally, Lessun will oversee grant opportunities, develop grant applications and proposals, and secure grant funding on behalf of the organization, among other duties.
“I’m honored to join Little League International and excited to bring my experience to an organization with such an extraordinary history and global impact,” said Lessun. “I look forward to helping advance its mission and creating opportunities that strengthen Little League and the communities it serves.”
Before joining Little League, Lessun served as Director for the Office of Sponsored Programs at Mercyhurst University, founding and leading the grants department while establishing institutional policies and infrastructure for grants management and fundraising operations. She also honed her skills as the Director for the Department of Government and Foundation Relations at Lemoyne College, overseeing proposal development, submission, budgeting, and stewardship.
Lessun earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Syracuse University and completed her Master of Education at Le Moyne College.