The American Red Cross of Western New York has named Kenneth Lee as executive director of the greater Rochester chapter, which serves Allegany, Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates Counties.
Lee has a lengthy history in nonprofit community service, having served in leadership positions in the YMCA for 17 years. He began his new role Oct. 31.
“We’re excited to welcome Ken to our leadership team,” said Nick Bond, CEO of the Red Cross Western New York Region. “The leadership experience he brings from a service-oriented organization, as well as his expertise in developing greater efficiencies, will be a great benefit to our dedicated volunteers and staff as we continue our mission-driven work within not only the greater Rochester chapter, but our entire 27-county region.”
Most recently, Lee founded the KenLeePractice, providing career strategy and guidance for teens. Prior to that, the Rochester native served as the operations director for the Chester Carlson/Southwest YMCA. During his two-year tenure in that position, Lee created a senior resource center during the COVID-19 pandemic and increased membership enrollment. His role at the Carlson/Southwest YMCA marked a return to Rochester for Lee, as for the previous seven years he served as operations director for the Newport News (Virginia) YMCA.
A native of Plainfield, New Jersey, Lee’s YMCA career actually launched in Rochester, in 2005, when he was named an executive director for the YMCA of greater Rochester, a role in which he served until 2012. Before joining the YMCA, Lee was employed as a continuous improvement manager for Valeo Electrical Systems.
“It is an honor and a great opportunity to work for an organization that has a long history of being present and helpful for humanity,” Lee said.
A graduate of Roberts Wesleyan College, where he majored in business management with a minor in communications, Lee resides in Rochester with his wife, Moniek. They have three grown children; Andre, Ameer and Amari.