Damon Lester

Nonprofits have been Damon's passion since early in his career when he was a CPA. He specialized in nonprofits as well as the government sector – conducting audits, advising on tax matters, and traveling internationally to form new organizations in emerging global markets.

It wasn’t until Damon joined NAMAD as an executive, however, that he truly understood the complexities and multifaceted aspects of operating a nonprofit business. Damon leads NAMADs mission to increase equitable access and meaningful opportunities for minority entrepreneurs and employees across the automotive industry.

Having led growth and change for the past 15+ years, his team and him have transformed NAMAD into a powerful voice on every proposed federal and state legislation related to the automobile industry. Additionally, they have helped ~300 minority entrepreneurs become owners of car dealerships. Damon has also built strategic partnerships with every auto manufacturer (OEM) in the world, and has partnered with their CEOs to advise on diversity & inclusion programs for their brokers, suppliers, & employees.