Duane Lester

Duane Lester is a nationally recognized facilitator, speaker, and learning experience designer with nearly two decades of experience in adult education, public speaking, and grassroots organizing. A former Navy journalist, Duane launched his career in advocacy and education in 2006, building a reputation for creating engaging, results-focused training experiences that move people to action. He spent nearly 10 years at Americans for Prosperity, where he developed and delivered hundreds of workshops on communication, persuasion, leadership, and freedom-based messaging — including standout sessions like “How to Sell Freedom Without Starting a Fight” and “Making the Moral Case for Capitalism.”

In November 2025, Duane joined the Leadership Institute, where he brings his deep experience in grassroots training and instructional design to help advance the organization’s mission of building and equipping the next generation of conservative leaders. Inspired by the work of his mentor and friend Bob Pike, Duane is passionate about participant-centered learning and continues to champion high-impact, scalable training that empowers individuals and strengthens movements.

He lives in Missouri with his wife and nine children (yes, nine) and is probably reading another book right now.