Introducing Kristi Lee

I am so pleased to be joining MECC as a new principal consultant, embarking on the next leg of my personal/professional journey. To many, my career path may look crooked or even meandering. I spent two years as part of the AmeriCorps program Public Allies Cincinnati, a grassroots, non-profit apprenticeship and leadership development program. Following my AmeriCorps term, I was hired as part of the program staff. This combined experience gave me the unique opportunity to work in many types of roles within the non-profit sector in a short amount of time. With a strategic mind and an interest in advocacy and leading social change, I headed to law school. On the first day of orientation I was one of two people who raised their hand when the dean asked if anyone did not intend to enter a traditional practice of law. Despite my initial intentions to the contrary, I briefly practiced law. Realizing it was not the space or work I felt called to do, I spent the next 13+ years working in the non-profit sector, first for the Community Police Partnering Center, then the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, followed by the UC Health Foundation, and most recently with the UC Foundation.

Within each of these experiences, I honed my skills, and enjoyed the ride of growing into my most authentic self. I worked with and for amazing people. I was competent and capable of doing the work. I excelled, finding myself with more and more responsibility. And…something was missing. I yearned for a deeper purpose; a more visceral connection to work that energized me and lit my soul on fire.

Fast forward to November 2019 when I first met Meghan. Upon entering a session with her, I saw chairs in a circle, sensed a palpable energy in the room and felt a stirring that I had not had since my AmeriCorps days. It felt like home. After two meetings, I wanted to shout, “teach me everything you know!” But instead, I diplomatically asked Meghan if she could tell me more about her background and her work.

In March 2020 the world turned upside down, but our paths crossed again. The opportunity presented itself to work together, and earlier this month, I officially joined the team. I believe there are no coincidences in life, and my path, hewn of sometimes seemingly disconnected steps or experiences, has led me to where I am meant to be. I feel a sense of wholeness, as if a piece of me, one I had been unconsciously searching for, fell into place. Have you ever experienced a moment when the stars align and set your soul on fire?

I’m wildly excited to start this journey: to partner with Meghan and the myriad of organizations, teams and leaders with whom we work. I feel alive and in-tune with the world when I’m helping to bring out the best in teams and people; when talking about or designing strategy; when I activate ways for people to be seen, heard, known and valued. I deeply believe in our capacity to heal, in the wisdom of our hearts and minds…and I can’t wait to step more fully into this work.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time exploring movement on my yoga mat (I completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training certification last year), cooking and creating in the kitchen, running, curling up with a good book, and guiding my 2 kiddos through life. I look forward to meeting you.