Tessa LeSage is a community engagement champion known for building enduring, cross-sector partnerships that drive real impact.

As a data-driven sustainability professional and social entrepreneur, she helps communities and organizations collaborate to achieve bold goals and redesign systems for the future. She has founded and guided multiple regional coalitions that align local action with global purpose through inclusive design and genuine partnership.

She was the architect and longtime leader of one of Southwest Florida’s longest-standing and nationally recognized regional collaboratives—widely regarded as a best-practice model for driving systems change. The initiative united more than 230 organizations and 450 partners around shared priorities for opportunity, sustainability, and resilience. Known for fostering understanding and alignment around complex issues—from climate adaptation to workforce readiness in challenging contexts—she brings strategic vision, operational clarity, and a collaborative spirit to every endeavor. Her work connects health, environment, community design, and economic development to create systems that work better for everyone.

Professional Certifications and Publications

Affiliations, Honors, and Community Service

  • Entrepreneurial Mindset Certificate, Florida Gulf Coast University 2023

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, USF Corporate Training and Professional Education, May 2021

  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional, Building Design + Construction (LEED® AP BD+C), 2008

  • A Case Study on the Use of the SDGs with a Collective Impact Initiative in Southwest Florida The Foundation Review, December 2021

  • Where to Start? A tool for thinking about the SDGs and Community Foundation Work The Foundation Review, December 2021

  • FutureMakers Coalition Talent Talk podcast launched November 2020

  • “A Community in the Spotlight” Gulf Coast Treasure Magazine and Directory, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, 2013

  • “Sustainability Helps Businesses Benefit from the Triple Bottom Line” Gulf Coast Treasure Magazine and Directory, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, 2012

  • 2024 CivicLab Fellow

  • 2022 Gulfshore Life Men and Women of the Year

  • 2021 Catalyst Community Capital, Inc Board Member and Advisory Board Chair

  • 2021 Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Equity Committee, consultation and facilitation

  • 2020 Equity Leaders – Network of Networks

  • 2020 CAEL Pamela Tate Rise Award

  • 2016 Women in Business APEX Award, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

  • 2015-2017 STAR Communities Rating System Technical Advisory Group Economy & Jobs Leader

  • 2014 STAR Steering Committee

  • 2012-2013 Lee County School District’s STEM@Work program

  • 2012 Institute for Sustainable Communities Climate Leadership Academy Award - Transportation

  • 2012 FGCU Alumni Association’s Alumni of Distinction award nominee

  • 2012 Sustainable Florida Best Practice Awards Nominee for completeLee: A Sustainability Assessment

  • 2012 Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership Transformation Award Finalist

  • 2011 Urban Land Institute’s Southwest Florida District Council Trailblazer Award

  • 2011 Gulfshore Business’ 40 under 40 Accomplished Leaders

  • 2010-2021 Healthy Lee Collaboration, Chair 2019-2020

  • 2008-2023 U.S. Green Building Council Southwest Florida Branch, Vice Chair

Tessa is the epitome of a modern collaborative leader…She blends an unwavering passion for making the world a better place with a natural demeanor and ability to bring people together and achieve something no one could accomplish alone.

— Jack Hess, Civic Lab

Ready to move from confusion to clarity?

Let’s design the collaborative process your organization needs to turn big goals into shared progress.