In Remembrance of Janine Lee
By Kristen Keely-Dinger
Chair, Philanthropy Southeast Board of Trustees
I am writing with profoundly sad news. Janine Lee, Philanthropy Southeast’s president and CEO since 2011, passed away Wednesday evening following a brief illness. She was surrounded by family.
On behalf of our entire Board and staff, I want to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to Janine’s family. We are doing all we can to support them during this time of great loss.
This is also a time of mourning for the Philanthropy Southeast staff, our Board, our members and countless others in our field who were blessed to know and work with Janine. The warmth of her personality, combined with an unwavering commitment to the Southeast and a steadfast belief in the power of philanthropy, made her one of our field’s most impressive and inspiring leaders. Words cannot convey how much we will miss her.
Philanthropy Southeast’s many accomplishments under Janine’s leadership include the adoption of a groundbreaking Equity Framework, new values and guiding principles, a dedication to courageous leadership and the embrace of an inclusive vision of philanthropy that has allowed us to welcome new organizations and leaders that share a commitment to our region, its communities, and its people. Janine’s vision and strategic thinking have put Philanthropy Southeast in a position of great strength, moving toward an even greater future.
While this is a sad time for us all, the next few weeks will be especially challenging for the Philanthropy Southeast staff, for whom Janine was not only a leader, but a valued mentor and friend. They will need space and time to grieve – please give them your patience and grace.
In the days ahead, we will share ways you can pay your respects and help us commemorate Janine’s life, work and legacy. As an organization, we will honor her memory and impact throughout the rest of this year and beyond – we will have more to share about those plans soon.
Please keep Janine’s family and the Philanthropy Southeast team in your thoughts and prayers. Your support for them is invaluable and deeply appreciated.
