Matt Lester’s impact can be felt far and wide across our Jewish community and business circles throughout Michigan. He is founder and CEO of real estate powerhouse Princeton Enterprises, Inc.

Matt is the immediate past President of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Co-Chair of the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign. He is a Board Member for the American Joint Distribution Committee, the Greater Detroit Campaign Leadership Council for the University of Michigan and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Matt is also a former President of the Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit and has formerly served as a Board Member for Kadima; BBYO; the Detroit Maccabi Committee; the Jewish Fund; Forgotten Harvest; and the Detroit Jewish News Foundation. In addition he has also served as a Board Member and Chairman of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Trustees; a Chairman of the Financial Oversight Committee for the Jewish Community Center of Detroit; a past Advisor to the Executive Director for Yad Ezra; and a past member of the Sherman Campaign and Blumenstein Leadership Groups. Over the past 20 years, Matt has led numerous mission trips to Israel, Ethiopia, Hungary, Poland, and Cuba.

Matt graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987 with a bachelor degree in history and from the University of Southern California in 1990 with a law degree. While working at the law firm of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C. and developing a prominent litigation and real estate practice, he initiated his real estate investment career and made his first successful acquisition. 

Matt was a past recipient of the Frank A. Wetsman Young Leadership Award; the Jewish Senior Life Award of Excellence; and a former Honoree of the Year for YAD EZRA. He has been nationally recognized in Multifamily Executive; Apartment Finance Today; National Real Estate Investor; NPR – All Things Considered; and Crain’s Business Detroit; as well as receiving recognition for the American Board of Trial Advocates Award and the Midwest Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame.

Matt and his wife Nicole are the proud parents of two children. We are delighted to be honoring Matt with the Outstanding Leadership Award at our Annual Dinner on Sunday, November 3, 2024.