NORA VARGAS

Contact:  Lesley.Kroupa@sdcounty.ca.gov

(619) 531-5511

Lesley Kroupa is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of diverse experience spanning law, public health, and policy advocacy. Originally from Traverse City, Michigan, Lesley pursued her undergraduate education at Smith College, earning a B.A. in Government in 2001. She obtained a J.D. from The University of Michigan Law School in 2006 and later, an M.S. in Nutrition and Public Health from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 2020, reflecting her deep commitment to understanding and addressing public health issues through both legal and scientific lenses.

Most recently, Lesley was the Associate Director of Policy for the Center for Wellness and Nutrition and Roots of Change programs at the Public Health Institute. In this role, she focused on identifying and analyzing policy issues related to nutrition, health, and regenerative agriculture at the local, state, and federal levels. Her work was driven by a health equity and food system framework, ensuring that her policy recommendations were evidence-based and centered on fairness and sustainability.

Previously, Lesley was the Interim Deputy Director at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Teachers College, Columbia University. There, she provided strategic policy guidance for research projects and spearheaded advocacy campaigns related to nutrition policy and education.

Before joining the policy field, she spent 11 years practicing law in New York City at Cooley LLP and as in-house counsel. Prior to law school, she worked at the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

Outside of her professional life, Lesley is an avid runner, enjoys spending time at the gym, and volunteers in her community. A passionate home cook, she loves experimenting with recipes from her extensive cookbook collection. She lives with her husband and their dog, Moose.