Helly Lee

For more than 20 years, Helly has supported national nonprofit and government institutions in advancing policies and programs that serve immigrants, refugees, and communities facing systemic barriers to wellbeing. A systems change strategist, Helly has advocated for more equitable policies in a myriad of areas that impact the prosperity and economic mobility of communities of color, including education, health, and nutrition access at the federal and state levels. Currently, as a director on the Frontline Solutions consulting team, she works with nonprofit and philanthropic partners across the country on strategy and systems change efforts toward more equitable practices and leadership. She has also worked to build capacity within emerging community based organizations, and supported the leadership development of social change leaders across the country. Helly is particularly passionate about working with ethnic community-based organizations to ensure their voices in policy and institutional change efforts, and promote community solutions that make a difference.

Previously, Helly served as community relations director at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and as an advisor to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She spent over a decade in national nonprofit organizations such as the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center and the Center for Law and Social Policy advancing federal policies and engaging community leaders in the policy process. She holds a master’s of social work from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s in social work from the University of St. Thomas.