Established by the Lehman family through Photo Start, the United Nations–recognized nonprofit co-founded by Abby Lehman, in honor of her late father — a lifelong New Yorker devoted to the city's safety, leadership, and recovery.
"A NYC-born leader and close colleague of former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly — deeply committed to the city he called home."
Mark Ellis Lehman devoted much of his life to New York City and public service, serving on numerous boards and initiatives supporting security, civic leadership, and the city's recovery efforts following September 11th. The Mark Ellis Lehman Fund was established to honor that legacy — and to invest it forward, in the next generation.
Programs that help NYPD officers' children find and share their own voice.
Hands-on creative and photographic tools, training, and mentorship access.
Direct connection to leaders and role models across the NYPD community.
Leadership development and new opportunities for the next generation.
The fund is being seeded through the sale of Mark Ellis Lehman's personal art and antiques collection — transforming a lifetime of collecting into a lasting investment in NYPD families.
Abby Lehman sees a meaningful opportunity to build a long-term partnership between Photo Start and the NYPD Foundation — one that celebrates service, strengthens communities, and creates lasting opportunities for NYPD families. Conversations are already underway, with more planned in the months ahead.
Abby Lehman is a fourth-generation New Yorker whose work centers on civic renewal, youth opportunity, and cultural stewardship — transforming stories, relationships, and shared purpose into lasting civic impact.
A storytelling campaign inspired by the 80-year love story of Abby Lehman's grandparents, sparking NYC tourism recovery in the years following the pandemic.
A partnership with Peter "2Sharp" Wainaina, a Nairobi-based former gang leader turned peacebuilder, fostering youth-police dialogue and helping more than 4,000 youth exit crime.
Abby Lehman would be honored to attend the NYPD Foundation Gala, to learn more about the Foundation's priorities, and to explore how the Mark Ellis Lehman Fund and Photo Start can support NYC officers and their families. She is available at the Foundation's convenience to discuss any of the above.