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Draft:Paul Lessard

  • Comment: Secondary coverage of the subject seems to only revolve around the rescuing of the other person, please see WP:BLP1E I get he did other things, but you don't show secondary coverage aside from that to establish notability. Sulfurboy (talk) 01:43, 24 July 2026 (UTC)
Paul Lessard
Born (1957-09-22) September 22, 1957 (age 68)
Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia
CitizenshipAmerican
EducationHigh Point University (2xBA),

University of North Carolina (MFA),

Harvard Business School (PG)
OccupationsPhilanthropic executive, writer

Paul Joseph Lessard (born September 22, 1957) is an American philanthropic executive, writer, and literacy advocate. He has served as president of the High Point Community Foundation since its establishment in 1998. As of 2026, he is the longest-serving president of a community foundation in the United States of America. Lessard received the Carnegie Hero Medal in 1994 for rescuing a woman from a submerged vehicle during a flood.[1][2][3][4]

Biography

Lessard was born on September 22, 1957, at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. He received bachelor of arts degrees in English and History from High Point University in 1980 where he attended on soccer and academic scholarships, served as Captain of the Men’s Soccer Team and was a member of the Order of the Lighted Lamp academic society. He later completed a master of fine arts in communications at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1985.[2] In 2005, he pursued post-graduate studies in nonprofit management at Harvard Business School.

From 1983 to 1988, Lessard worked as a writer and producer for Furniture Today, managing corporate, documentary, and television production projects. His work included international assignments in the Far East, Pacific Rim, and Central America. Between January 1990 and May 1998, he worked in marketing and sales at Culp, Inc., a home furnishings company based in North Carolina.

In January 1994, Lessard was awarded the Carnegie Hero Medal for rescuing a 68-year-old woman from a submerged vehicle during a flash flood. According to accounts published at the time, he entered floodwaters estimated at 25 feet in depth, broke into the vehicle, removed the driver through the rear window, and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The woman survived the incident.[3][4] The Carnegie Hero Medal is considered the highest civilian honor for bravery and is awarded to individuals who risk their lives to save another person.[1] He later received a Congressional Commendation for Heroism and local recognitions, including the Key to the City of High Point.[5] In 1996, he served as a community hero torchbearer during the 1996 Summer Olympics.[2][6][7]

Using the stipend associated with the Carnegie Hero Medal, Lessard founded the Lighthouse Project in 1994. The initiative partnered with the Guilford County Schools Character Education Program and hosted in-school programs featuring national speakers, including Herman Boone, James Bradley, Clifton Taulbert, Gizella Abramson, a concentration camp survivor and advocate for Holocaust remembrance, General Charles C. Krulak, serving as Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Patch Adams, and Joe Ehrmann.[8][9] The project operated from 1994 until 2022.[10]

Lessard became the founding president of the High Point Community Foundation in May 1998. At the time of its establishment, the foundation managed approximately $5 million in assets. Under his leadership, reported assets increased to more than $145 million by the mid-2020s, with cumulative grants exceeding $125 million in unrestricted and donor-advised distributions. The foundation partnered with the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro on fundraising efforts for the Guilford County “Say Yes” scholarship initiative, which later evolved into related programs supporting tuition assistance for public school graduates. An additional $40 million was raised to support the “Say Yes” scholarship agenda during the same period.[11]

A key part of Lessard’s work at the foundation has focused on literacy advocacy. He supported the development of a “High Dosage Tutoring” initiative focusing on improving reading outcomes among students in High Point schools. He raised approximately $1 million to fund the pilot program, which has been reported as a successful local tutoring initiative and has been discussed as a potential model for similar programs. In 2024 and 2025, the foundation raised funds for literacy tutoring initiatives in High Point schools and workforce housing projects.[10]

Lessard has written a long-running newspaper column titled “Giving 101” for the High Point Enterprise. He is the author of five books, including The Mean Little Princess, Visions of Philanthropy (first and second editions), A Measure of My Heart: Life Lessons from Yogi, and Searching for Moses.[12] Lessard’s work has been referenced in publications including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, Our State Magazine, Good Housekeeping Magazine, and AARP The Magazine.[1][13][14][15] He has appeared in television segments, including NBC’s Olympic Moments and PAX TV’s It’s a Miracle.

In April 2024, Lessard received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of North Carolina. He has also been recognized as Alumnus of the Year by both High Point University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 2018, he was the inaugural recipient of the Yogi Yarborough “Spirit of the Community” Award.[11][16]

Lessard has served on advisory and nonprofit boards in High Point, including the High Point Historical Society and athletic and alumni organizations at High Point University.[11]

He is married to Jayne Issacson Lessard, a psychologist. They have two children.

References

  1. ^ a b c Crossen, Cynthia. “Distinguishing a Hero from the Merely Brave.” The Wall Street Journal, June 17, 1996, Marketplace section.
  2. ^ a b c Zeugner, Abby. “Lessard Gets Surprise Honor.” High Point Enterprise, November 7, 2019, front page.
  3. ^ a b Baily, Crystal and John Railey. "Driver escapes death in rising flood waters." High Point Enterprise, April 16, 1993, p. 2A.
  4. ^ a b Baily, Crystal and John Railey. "Happy to be alive: Men believe rescue was fate." High Point Enterprise, April 17, 1993, p. 1A.
  5. ^ Nothing else comes so close to home: Paul Lessard – Age: 38, born Sept. 22, 1957. Neighbors / Real Estate, May 10, 1996.
  6. ^ Schlosser, Jim. "Torch runs fires up Greensboro." News & Record, June 25, 1996, p. A2.
  7. ^ Snipe, Michele D. "Torch's flame brings chills to onlookers: Hundreds of High Point residents line the streets to cheer on the bearers of the Olympic flame." High Point Enterprise, June 25, 1996, p. 5.
  8. ^ Hayes, Justin. “Book Sales Benefit Nonprofit.” Greensboro News and Record, December 2, 2003.
  9. ^ Paul Lessard's heroics help fund special program for youth. High Point Enterprise, May 10, 1996.
  10. ^ a b “Lessard Plans to Retire.” High Point Enterprise, November 12, 2025, front page
  11. ^ a b c Tomlin, Jimmy. “Governor Cooper Awards Paul Lessard the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for Lifetime of Community Service.” High Point Enterprise, December 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Jimmy Tomlin, Searching for Moses, Life & TV. May 9-10, 2026.
  13. ^ Midgett, Melissa. "High Point hero honored by magazine." News & Record, July 7, 2000, p. A1.
  14. ^ Thinking of Mom: Paul Lessard, 43, High Point, N.C. U.S. News & World Report, August 20–27, 2001 (Special Double Issue), p. 43.
  15. ^ Mitchell, Jessie Tucker. "A Story to Tell." Our State (North Carolina), January 2005, p. 32.
  16. ^ Cranford, Ronda. "Father/daughter book effort garners award." High Point Enterprise

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