About Penny Lee

Penny Lee is currently the CEO of the Financial Technology Association, a nonprofit trade association dedicated to shaping the future of technology-centered financial services. The FTA's member companies are leaders in the fintech industry, offering innovative financial products and services that cater to the diverse needs of American businesses and consumers. Penny Lee is an active angel investor and passionate about making the tech industry more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. In 2013, She co-founded and chaired a Washington, DC-based angel investment group, K Street Capital and currently serve on the advisory Board of the Center for American Entrepreneurship. She is an avid golfer and serve on the board of the National Links Trust - an organization dedicated to making golf more accessible. Before joining FTA, Lee led the public affairs practice group at Invariant, a leading Washington, D.C. government relations and strategic communications firm.  She previously served as Chief Strategy Officer of 1776, a prominent technology incubator and accelerator servicing over 1,200 startups in its network. Penny Lee developed and formalized the business strategy necessary to execute the company’s priorities internally and externally, with operational authority over the company’s personnel, product, and finances. Lee is passionate about making the tech industry more inclusive, and while Chair of K Street Capital, female or underrepresented founders comprised 32 percent of the portfolio.  Her experience also includes serving as Senior Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Executive Director of the Democratic Governors Association, and Communications Director for Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. Roles in social impact complement her professional expertise. Penny Lee maintains leadership and board positions for several D.C. area investment groups and nonprofit organizations, including Black Girl Ventures, Center for American Entrepreneurship, and National Links Trust, an organization seeking to diversify the game of golf by improving accessibility and affordability of municipal golf courses. Penny Lee graduated from Baylor University with degrees in political science and journalism.