Lori Rose Benson is a seasoned nonprofit leader, passionate youth advocate, and lifelong educator committed to creating spaces where young people are seen, heard, and empowered to thrive. With more than 30 years of cross-sector experience spanning education, arts and culture, public health, and youth development, Lori brings a systems-thinking lens to storytelling, equity, and social impact.

Prior to joining Youth Communication, Lori led transformative initiatives across New York City. She was the founding Executive Director of NYC Public Schools Office of School Wellness Programs under the Bloomberg administration, where she oversaw health and physical education for 1.1 million students across 1,600 schools. She later served as Vice President of Healthy Lifestyles at the YMCA of Greater New York, advancing citywide initiatives focused on youth development, chronic disease prevention, and health equity.

Most recently, Lori was the inaugural Executive Director and CEO of Hip Hop Public Health, a national nonprofit harnessing the power of music and culture to build health literacy and inspire young people to take charge of their well-being and advocate for their families and communities.

Lori is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, concentrating in health equity and social justice.

She leads with curiosity, collaborates with purpose, and believes that bold ideas—and bold young people—can change the world. Off the clock, you’ll find her dipping into the Atlantic at Rockaway Beach, flowing through a yoga class, or warming up her vocals for karaoke night.