Jeffrey Lee

I am honored to stand for the position of Treasurer of CIES. I take your trust and your vote seriously; therefore, I would like to outline my motivations for seeking this role, the specific expertise I bring, and the values that will guide my stewardship of our society’s resources.

Deep Roots and Sustained Commitment 

As a CIES member for over 20 years, I have had the privilege of serving the organization in a wide range of capacities. From my leadership in the early days of the ICT4D Special Interest Group, to the work I have done at the invitation of four CIES Presidents, as the Co-Chair of the Social and Policy Engagement Committee (SPEC), my commitment to the field is both deep and sustained. I believe that volunteers are the backbone of a vibrant society and as such, I would take these experiences and bring them into focus as part of the Executive Committee on the CIES Board.  

Proven Financial Leadership

The role of Treasurer appeals to me because it aligns with my extensive background in non-profit financial management. My experience ranges from managing the finances of a well-funded US-based non-profit to teaching organizational management and leadership. I bring direct expertise in:

• Reporting & Compliance: Creating and approving monthly/annual reports, reviewing IRS Form 990s, and filing Charitable Trust Certificates with the Attorney General’s Office to maintain non-profit status.
• Fiscal Oversight: Managing rigorous financial audits (three times per year) and maintaining vendor and insurance contracts.
• Strategic Planning: Developing fiscal strategies, projecting future budgets, and diligently monitoring budgeted versus actual revenue and expenses.
• Member Support: Establishing transparent processes for the creation and delivery of student scholarships.

Furthermore, I possess a clear understanding of investment strategies. I recognize that CIES depends on its portfolio for long-term stability, and I will work closely with the Office of the Executive Director and our Portfolio Managers to ensure our continued financial health.

Values and Ethics Central to How I Will Approach this Responsibility

CIES members come from all walks of life and from diverse contexts.  Our fiscal health has been aligned with our values, and I am excited to continue the tradition of ensuring that we address the needs of our members from lower-income countries, students and others who have struggled in recent times particularly, to engage in professional development activities. Our society, while needing to thrive, also ought to be responsive to the complexities of the time.  Our values are grounded in our ethos to ensure that we find ways to expand opportunities, while also protecting members in vulnerable situations. As CIES treasurer, I will ensure that these values and ethics are central to the conversations around finance, budget and fiscal responsibility.  CIES has a strong financial base and has been carefully governed by previous treasurers and teams.  I will seek to be transparent on budget matters and to ensure that CIES continues to be an affordable professional association for our global membership.