A native New Yorker with family roots in Chinatown, Michael Lee recently served as the Managing Director of Corporate Development at the New York Institute of Finance, a century-old educational institution that trains professionals from over 120 different countries in finance. Prior to working for the New York Institute of Finance, Lee served as the Executive Director of Apex for Youth, a New York City nonprofit organization that provides mentoring, education and after school programs to underserved Asian youth. Lee has also previously served as the Director of Development at the Committee of 100, an organization of Chinese American leaders who address issues concerning Asian Americans and U.S.-China Relations. Michael received an M.S. in Fundraising and Philanthropy from New York University and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in East Asian Studies. He serves on the board of directors of the Chinese American Planning Council (CPC), Central Queens Academy Charter School, and the Red Hook Initiative. He teaches martial arts and lion dance at Norman Chin’s Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu School, teaches a business course at Basis Independent Brooklyn, cofounded Meat Asia, Inc., and is president of the 529 Court Street Condo Board. Michael grew up in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, where he now lives with his wife Grace and three children—Connor, Maxwell and Annisa.