Leighton Spencer leads NASDAQ kick-off on 'Giving Tuesday'

By Frances Ruth Harris
CHESTER — Chester native Leighton Spencer led the kick-off at the NASDAQ on "Giving Tuesday" this week, a signal to companies of all sizes to give generously to those in need this holiday season.
It's part of Pledge 1%, a global movement to create a "new normal," in which giving back is integrated into corporate DNA.
Spencer is the son of Noel Spencer, former town councilman and county legislator, and Patricia Spencer. On "Giving Tuesday" he represented Box.org, the philanthropy arm of Box, Inc., a cloud content management and file sharing service for businesses. Box.org provides nonprofits with "the resources they need to innovate and fulfill their mission," according to its website.
"Pledge 1% encourages and challenges individuals and companies to Pledge 1% of equity, profit, product, and/or employee time for their communities," said Noel in an email. "Box, like many companies represented, are committed to giving back, and Leighton takes his lead in New York very seriously."
A champion runnerLeighton Spencer lived in Chester for 23 years. He attended kindergarten at Chester Elementary, then Goshen Christian School during his elementary years. He graduated from Monroe Day School Elementary. At Don Bosco Preparatory High School, he was the MVP for cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track in 5,000M in 2008-09. He was the Bergen County champion in cross country, indoor 5,000M, and outdoor 5,000M.
In 2013, he graduated from Columbia University with a degree in business administration. While at Columbia he was co-captain of the cross county team when it won the Ivy League Cross Country Championship.
He was the senior champion in 5000M and 10,000M for the island of Jamaica's championships in 2011 and 2012. He represented the island at the Pan American Games in Mexico in the 10,000M.
For more information about Pledge 1%, visit pledge1percent.org.
For information about "Giving Tuesday," visit givingtuesday.org.