August 31, 2022

TGR Foundation Announces New Educational Programming Leadership 

IRVINE, CA Today, TGR Foundation announced John Lee as Vice President, Programs and Education. Lee, an experienced student-focused education leader, will oversee TGR Foundation’s education programs and staff responsible for delivering educational opportunities and resources to students from under-resourced communities in Southern California and beyond. 

Gordon McNeill, TGR Foundation President & CEO, stated, “I am excited to have John join our team. He shares our belief that all students deserve the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. His experience expanding student outcomes at numerous education-based organizations is a perfect fit with our work to empower students to pursue their passions through education.”  

Lee brings more than 20 years of experience in K-12 and higher education to TGR Foundation’s leadership team. Prior to joining TGR Foundation, he served as the Los Angeles Regional Executive Director for College Track following various leadership roles in public education, corporate philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.  

A California native, Lee attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Upon graduation he joined Teach for America and taught high school social studies in Baltimore, Maryland. Lee went on to earn his Master of Arts in Secondary Social Studies at Johns Hopkins University. 

“I am extremely excited to join the incredible team at TGR Foundation,” Lee said. “I believe that students from under-represented communities deserve opportunities to thrive. Supporting and empowering students to pursue their passions is critical to changing the trajectory of their lives as well as their families and communities. For over 25 years, TGR Foundation has been driving this change and I’m thrilled to build on that legacy.” 

Based in Anaheim at the flagship TGR Learning Lab, Lee will lead TGR Foundation’s team of educators and education programming that supports students beginning at 5th grade through college. In addition to in-person classes at the Learning Lab and its five satellite locations across the country, Lee will lead the foundation’s educator professional development and Earl Woods Scholar Program.