Virginia Lee

As the daughter of Chinese immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, brings a deep understanding of resilience, equity, and the power of community. Her identities as a mother and social justice advocate shape how she leads with compassion, humility, and a steadfast belief in people’s potential. For more than two decades, she has worked across nonprofits, philanthropy, and public education to create conditions where families and communities can thrive. Her work has focused on public health, education, and systems change, always with an emphasis on equity, collaboration, and sustainable impact. Before joining Reading Partners, she served as senior director of community engagement and partnerships at the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, supporting 20 LAUSD schools in Boyle Heights, South Los Angeles, and Watts. She previously worked with the Urban Peace Institute and Advancement Project, building partnerships focused on community safety, civic engagement, and leadership development in public housing communities. Earlier in her career, she supported the Convergence Partnership, a national funder collaborative, helping philanthropy reimagine how to invest in the root causes of health inequities. She holds advanced degrees from Yale School of Management, UCLA, and San Diego State University, along with a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation. Her leadership and expertise are also shaped by respected leadership programs, including the National Equity Project, CompassPoint, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At her core, she is driven by a belief in possibility. Through partnership, empathy, and courage, she strives to help transform systems so that every child and community has the opportunity to thrive.