Jason Lessard’s Alaska story began in 1994 with a visit to Anchorage and a last-minute decision to work the salmon season in Bristol Bay, an experience that sparked a lifelong connection to Alaska and its food systems. He spent nearly two decades working in the fishing industry before transitioning to nonprofit leadership.

 

His past roles include Director of Operations at the Food Bank of Alaska and Executive Director of the Anchorage chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Jason serves as a Governing Body Member of both the Alaska Food Policy Council and the Alaska Mariculture Cluster and has previously held board and governance roles focused on mental health advocacy and ethics.