Daniele LeCesne

Daniele LeCesne Interim Executive Director & Special Advisor

Daniele LeCesne most recently served as Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, where she is focused on ensuring organizational stability and developing operational efficiencies during a pivotal transition period. 

Daniele brings over 25 years of experience in accounting and financial operations, including 18 years in higher education. Immediately prior to joining Cal Poly Pomona, Daniele served as Chief Operating Officer of the Tower Foundation at San José State University. In that role, she oversaw foundation operations and collaborated with the Board of Directors to strengthen philanthropic strategy and resource stewardship. Her appointment to SJSU was a meaningful homecoming, as she has long-standing family ties to the university. 

She previously held dual roles at California State University, Fullerton as Executive Director of University Advancement Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer for the CSF Foundation. Her career also includes leadership positions at UC Riverside, USC, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and she serves on the board of OPARC, a nonprofit supporting adults with developmental disabilities.