Charles G. Lief has been a dedicated member of the Naropa University community for fifty years, contributing to the first discussions that led to the creation of the Naropa Institute in 1974. As an early student of Naropa’s founder, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Lief was an original member of the Nalanda Foundation board of directors, Naropa’s nonprofit home during its first decade. He has been a member of the board of trustees since 1986 and served as its chair from May 2011 until stepping down from the board in November 2011 to apply for the president position. Lief’s career includes notable roles as managing partner at a Colorado law firm, president of the Greyston Foundation, and principal at the Hartland Group. His leadership at Greyston Foundation was instrumental in its growth into a significant nonprofit social enterprise.
In addition to his work at Naropa, Lief has been actively involved in nonprofit boards and strategic planning across various regions and sectors. His contributions include serving as chair of the Intervale Center, chair of Bridge House, vice-chair of the Vermont Community Loan Fund, and board member of the Center for Cartoon Studies, the Vermont Community Loan Fund, and Vermont Works for Women. Lief’s extensive board experience also includes chair roles with the Social Enterprise Alliance and Shambhala International.
