The Lee Institute was founded in 1997 and named for corporate and civic leader, William States Lee III. Mr. Lee led an exceptional personal and professional life, and the Lee Institute embodies the values of civic leadership, innovation, and collaboration that he so passionately championed.
Mr. Lee served as the Chairman and CEO of Duke Power for more than twelve years, earning international respect for his expertise in nuclear energy—he also applied his rare form of leadership to literally hundreds of worthy community endeavors.
The Lee Institute was created as one of two distinct initiatives of the Lynnwood Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1996. Our sister organization is the Duke Mansion, an award-winning AAA 4-diamond historic inn and meeting place located in Charlotte’s Myers Park neighborhood. Together, we honor the past through the preservation of this historic home and prepare for the future by working to build strong communities.