Page 36 - BusinessWest April 27, 2026

Lezlie Braxton Campbell
Deputy Director, Neighbor to Neighbor: Age 32
Lezlie Braxton Campbell is a big believer in the agency known as Neighbor
to Neighbor.
Indeed, he first got involved as a board member and then as board chair
before joining the staff of the organization two years ago.
He now serves as deputy director, a role that comes with a broad job
description that essentially boils down to carrying out the agency’s
broad mission — making democracy work for everyone.
“It’s an organization for community and political organizing,” he said
of the agency now celebrating its 30th year, adding that Neighbor to
Neighbor gets involved at the grassroots level on issues ranging from
housing to criminal justice reform to climate and environmental work.
It’s currently involved in a letter-writing campaign to urge
passage of the Clean Slate Act, which would automatically seal
old criminal records, removing barriers to jobs, housing, and
stability for thousands of state residents.
“I enjoy my work because we’re a multi-issue
organization,” he told BusinessWest. “I can be talking
about voter engagement, then get deep into other
issues ... and then, there could be a bill we’re
pushing. So it does put you out in many different
directions.”
A graduate of Westfield State
University, where he earned a
bachelor’s degree in business
management, Campbell is
currently working toward a
master’s degree in politics
& education at Columbia
University. He brings a diverse résumé to his current role, including a 5-year
stint in education (humanities and social studies) that included teaching at
both the Springfield Public Schools and Springfield Technical Community
College. He’s also been involved in a number of local, regional, and statewide
political campaigns, and ran for City Council in Springfield himself.
He said his current job description includes a mix of administrative
duties, work on specific issues, such as the Clean Slate bill, and
getting to know the people and issues facing them in communities
served by the chapter, including Springfield, Holyoke, Worcester,
and Lynn.
Active in the community, Campbell is a part of the LUCE
Immigrant Justice Network in the Bay State, executive
vice president of Young Democrats of America,
and a former mentor with the Academic
Leadership Assoc. Last year, he
received the Black Excellence
on the Hill Award and
the Ronn D. Johnson
Servant of All Award.
And now, he has
another plaque for
his desk, one that
identifies him as a
member of 40 Under
Forty.
—George O’Brien
Founded on access.
CONGRATS MIKEY!
Driven by purpose.
Mychal Connolly Jr.
19 YEARS OLD. 40 UNDER 40.
Defined
Ad
• Founder/CEO of Realistic CEO™
• CEO of Realistic Lemonade 501(c)(3)
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by success.
With two years of LBW
(Long Lonely Boring Work)
Westfield State proudly congratulates
our alumni on their recognition in
Space
Space
you made page 25 of
Realistic CEO™ a reality!
Love: Mom, Dad,
Your entire family,
BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty
Class of 2026.
Lezlie Braton Campbell ’16
Angelle Lopez ’24
1/4 Pg. Vert.
Your 115+ podcast guests
and the17,000+ K-12 and
higher education students
you’ve impacted through
your public speaking.
Danielle Delgado ’09
Yeselie Tulloch ’13
1/4 Pg. Vert.
Learn more at
RealisticCEO.com
W E S T F I E L D . M A . E D U
A14 2026
Business W est