Leonard Easter in Memoriam
The Kota Alliance has lost a dear friend. About 25 years ago, as a group of us Finnish expats had decided to form a nonprofit for the Finnish community in New York City (Finland Center Foundation), I was referred to Leonard by Quaker House, for whom he had done some work. As our board needed to approve this move, we gathered at my home in Greenwich Village to meet him in person. As we conversed and were getting to know each other, Lenny (as he said to call him) revealed that prior to becoming a nonprofit lawyer, he had practiced entertainmentlaw. This had come naturally to him, because he had first studied to become a professional musician. Then he sat down at my piano and played Sibelius’ Finlandia by heart. Of course, we were all in awe and moved to tears. You could say he played his way into our hearts.
He quickly helped us get our 501c3 status and remained on our advisory board for several years and jokingly referred to himself as an “honorary Finn”. When the idea of a common physical Finnish center in New York City fizzled after years of trying, unsuccessfully, to find funding for it, a group of us decided to establish the Kota Alliance for gender equity and women’s empowerment. Lenny helped with the paperwork to establish this organization too. He even served as board treasurer one year, but mostly as an Advisory Board member stepping in with sage advice whenever we needed it, through all the ups and downs, helping to steer our decisions in the right direction. He was also generous in that after the first couple of years, we never got a bill from him, which meant that our relationship went from just professional to friendship. If a conversation started with a concrete question on my part, after it was handled, we could linger discussing current affairs, our families, or anything under the sun, usually over a glass of white wine, his signature drink. I will miss those sessions, and his warm spirit, wonderful intellect, wisdom and sense of humor. Our sincere condolences to his wife Nina, his children and other loved ones.
Jaana Rehnstrom
The Kota Alliance’s first Board Meeting.
From left to right: Titta Riikonen-Guy, Lisa Bratt, Jaana Rehnstrom, Zac Kelly, Michelle Bonarji, Caroline Cantone (intern), Minna Aslama-Horowitz, and Leonard Easter.
Obituary provided by his family here:
Leonard Duane Easter 75, of Kingston, New York, died October 5, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Born May 8, 1951, in Lorain, Ohio, Leonard was the son of the late Hortense and William Easter. A gifted musician, attorney, educator, and lifelong advocate for the arts, he lived a life distinguished by intellectual curiosity, generosity, and service to others.
Leonard graduated cum laude from Harvard College in 1973, where he became the first Black musical director of the Harvard Krokodiloes and served as Assistant Conductor of the Harvard Glee Club. During his Harvard years, he performed under the direction of and collaborated with composer Leonard Bernstein.
A 1976 graduate of Columbia Law School, Leonard enjoyed a legal and academic career spanning five decades. He taught at Columbia Law School, Yale Law School, and The New School, where he served for more than 25 years.
As Director of Legal Services for Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and throughout his private practice, Leonard championed thousands of artists and helped establish and advise numerous nonprofit organizations. His work spanned music, dance, theater, literature, and the visual arts, including involvement with Outward Visions, Danse Mirage Foundation, Looking Glass Productions of New York, Readers International, The Kota Alliance, and Finland Center Foundation. His expertise helped artists and cultural organizations build lasting foundations for their work.
A longtime Kingston resident, Leonard also devoted many years to the YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County, serving as Chairman and Vice Chairman of its Board of Directors, Trustee, and spin instructor.
Leonard shared his life with his beloved wife, Nina Ries, and together they raised five
children, Arun, Rumi, Hope, Lena, and Faith. He is also survived by his daughter-in-
law, Elizabeth; his grandchildren, Mason, Donya, Tufan, and Daryaw; his great-
grandchild, Iylla; his brothers, William Jr., Tony, Julian, and Adrian; his sisters, Myra, Monicaand Noreen; and many beloved nieces and nephews. His family was at the center of his life and his devotion to them extended far beyond anything that could be measured
by professional accomplishments.
Leonard lived to the beat of his own drum, and the many lives he touched will carry his
melodies forward.
In lieu of flowers, donations to nonprofit organizations supporting the arts, education, or
community are encouraged.