R May Lee

R. May Lee serves as the Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for Institutional Impact at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a role she assumed on April 10, 2023. In this capacity, she collaborates closely with senior leadership to prioritize and execute strategic initiatives that enhance RPI's national and international standing, as well as its influence within the local and regional ecosystem. Her responsibilities include guiding the development and implementation of the Institute's next Ten-Year Strategic Plan, which emphasizes innovation in education, research expansion, regional engagement, and inclusivity.12

Before her current position, Lee was the inaugural Dean of the School of Entrepreneurship and Management at Shanghai Tech University, where she developed a curriculum aimed at fostering critical thinking and creativity among students in science and engineering. She also played a pivotal role in establishing NYU Shanghai, the first American degree-granting campus in China, serving as Acting Vice-Chancellor and managing key negotiations and approvals.12

Lee's extensive background includes senior roles on Wall Street, notably as Chief of Staff to the CEO at Merrill Lynch and positions at Goldman Sachs. Additionally, she has experience as an entrepreneur in technology and digital marketing, and she holds leadership roles in various nonprofit organizations. Lee earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. in History and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.12