Benjaline "Aunty Benjie" Medlock
Founder and Executive Director
The Beating Heart of the Foundation
Known as "Aunty Benjie" to many Pacific Islander athletes, Benjaline Medlock brings over 30 years of professional experience in education, business management, and youth advocacy to Le Nu'u Legacy Foundation. Born and raised on Oʻahu, she is proud of her Samoan roots and has built her career around empowering young people to reach their full potential.
Holding a B.S. in Human Services and an MBA, Benjaline's professional journey spans multiple sectors. She has taught mathematics and study skills at both university and high school levels, including four years at the University of Arizona and currently teaching Quantitative Reasoning to high school seniors preparing for life after graduation. Her 20-year tenure as a community tutor in math and reading (1996-2006) reflects her lifelong commitment to educational equity.
At Citigroup, she helped managed operations for a data processing department with up to 80 employees, building scalable systems—experience that now helps her lead the foundation with both structure and compassion.This corporate experience, combined with her work in Arizona's Department of Developmental Disabilities and as a child advocate across California and Arizona's protective services systems, gave her invaluable skills in navigating complex bureaucracies and advocating within institutional frameworks.
As a member of Jack and Jill Tucson Association and former volunteer with Parenting Arizona, Benjaline has consistently served as a community leader and youth mentor. Her most personal work has been as a licensed foster parent and "Aunty-Mom" who has cared for over 40 children over the past 15 years, adopting two—Keoni and Victoria—who joined her daughter Tulani.
"Our home has always been a gathering place built on the belief that to thrive, you need structure, nourishment, and unconditional love. That same spirit drives this foundation—we're not just providing services; we're building a village, a family, for every athlete we serve."
A Legacy of Professional Service
Benjaline's diverse professional background directly strengthens each pillar of the foundation:
• Advocacy: Her extensive experience advocating for children in state systems, combined with her understanding of institutional navigation, ensures athletes receive knowledgeable guidance through complex challenges.
• Professional Development: Drawing from her business management experience, teaching background, and MBA, she understands both the academic foundations and practical skills students need for sustainable career success.
• Community Engagement: Through her work with prestigious organizations like Jack and Jill, church leadership, and community tutoring, she has mastered the art of building meaningful networks that truly serve their members.
Her extensive connections within the Pacific Islander community, combined with her full-time dedication to the foundation's mission, make her the beating heart behind Le Nu'u Legacy Foundation.