Benjaline "Aunty Benjie" Medlock

Founder and Executive Director

The Beating Heart of the Foundation

Known as "Aunty Benjie," Benjaline Medlock brings over 30 years of 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.

Benjaline holds a B.S. in Human Services and an MBA. She has taught mathematics and study skills at the university and high school levels — including four years at the University of Arizona and several years teaching Quantitative Reasoning to high school seniors — and spent 20 years as a community tutor in math and reading. At Citigroup, she managed operations for an 80-person data processing department, building the scalable systems that now help her lead the foundation with structure and compassion. Her work with Arizona's Department of Developmental Disabilities and as a child advocate across California and Arizona's protective services systems gave her invaluable skill navigating complex bureaucracies on behalf of the people she serves.

A member of the Jack and Jill Tucson Chapter (2026–2027 Lead Teen Advisor) and former Parenting Arizona volunteer, Benjaline has long 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 16 years, building a family through both birth and adoption.

"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 student we serve."

Her deep connections within the Pacific Islander community, paired with her full-time dedication to this mission, make her the beating heart behind Le Nuʻu Legacy Foundation.

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