How a Learning Disability Became His Greatest Strength

This is a story about turning struggle into service - and what mission-driven leaders can learn from someone who has spent more than 20 years helping students navigate uncertainty, pressure, and possibility.Efrain sits down with Lester Deanes, Associate Vice President for Students and Dean of Students at the University of San Francisco, for a conversation that goes far beyond campus life. Lester opens up about the professors who poured into him, the learning disability he once hid, the school he helped launch in San Jose, and the personal moments that shaped how he shows up for students today.In this conversation, you'll learn:How Lester leads students through financial stress, housing concerns, and difficult life transitions with honesty and dignityWhy he says succession planning, leadership buy-in, and funding cushions are essential when building something that lastsHow he turned a learning disability and years of self-doubt into strength, confidence, and a speaking careerWhat it means to support people without trying to control their pathWhy AI may change the process, but human connection still does the real workThis episode is for mission-driven leaders, people-first managers, and educators who want to build trust, support growth, and lead in a way that actually reaches people.Lester's story is a reminder that the best leaders do not just solve problems - they help people feel seen while they figure things out. He also shares how his parents, especially his mother, shaped his belief that nobody should ever feel alone, and why that lesson still drives the way he leads, teaches, and parents today.ABOUT LESTER DEANES:Lester Deanes is Associate Vice President for Students and Dean of Students at the University of San Francisco, where he supports students through academic, financial, and personal challenges. He also teaches student development theory and brings more than two decades of experience in education, leadership, and mentorship.ABOUT HART & HUSTLE:Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization.Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact.🔗 FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis#NonprofitLeadership #EducationLeadership #MissionDrivenLeadership