Chairman/CEO

LEE KLEIN, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, has been recognized for four decades of achievements as the creative force, compassionate leader, and administrative genius, making it possible for children with cancer to receive necessary medical treatment and ancillary care.

Lee began her career as a volunteer charity worker for children’s causes in 1956.  Nine years later, Lee accepted the greatest challenge of her life:  The founding of an unprecedented treatment clinic for cancer-stricken children which is today known as the Children’s Cancer Cancer Center and which has been her life-long passion. 

In addition to her responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Lee serves as Patient Program Director at the Center.  She becomes personally involved with each patient and family, meeting them when they first arrive, and periodically thereafter, assessing the need for assistance and support, in confidence, and without compromise to the family’s dignity.

From the very onset, as clinic administrator, Lee was never a bureaucrat or a paper shuffler.  Her involvement has been a total one, financially, emotionally, and spiritually, as Lee literally holds the hands of these catastrophically ill children and their families while they go through the high stress, painful procedures in their life and death battle against cancer.

A recipient of a multitude of awards, Lee has also received appointments to, and has served on the Board of, the National Children’s Cardiac Hospital; the Consumer Advisory Council of the University of Miami Comprehensive Cancer Center; the University of Miami Advisory Committee for the Children’s Hospital; and the Advisory Council for the University of Miami Helping Hands Award.  Additionally, Lee is a founding Director and has served on the Board of the Florida Youth Orchestra.

Now in her fourth decade of dedication to “her kids,” Lee believes that until mankind is rewarded with a cure for cancer, the number one killer disease of children, she will receive great satisfaction in continuing to help give quality life, love and hope to children afflicted by cancer.

HONORS AND AWARDS

2006 American Committee for The Weizmann Institute of Science, “Women of Vision” Award

2006 WPLG-Local 10, “Salute” from the community

2004 Junior League of Miami, “Women Who Make a Difference” Award

2003 Big Brothers Big Sisters “Miracle Makers” Award

2001 Princess Cruise Line, “Heart of Gold” Award

2001 Broward Center for the Performing Arts/Real Women/Real Lives Spotlight Award

1991 President’s Volunteer Action Award

1991 WTVJ/NBC, Kelly’s Hero Award Benefiting the Community

1988 Universal Aid for Children, Kathryn Lehman Weiner Advocacy of Children Award

1987 WSVN/Fox, Hometown Hero Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community

1986 University of Miami School of Medicine, Helping Hands Award for Humanitarian of the Year

1986 Dade County B’nai Brith Outstanding Citizen Award

1985 University of Miami School of Medicine, Helping Hands Award for Woman of the Year

1985 Miami Herald Spirit of Excellence Finalist

1982 Advertising Federation of Greater Miami, Outstanding Community Service Award

1981 Greater Miami Chapter Women’s ORT Award for Outstanding Woman of the Year

1980 National Jefferson Award for Outstanding Service Benefiting a Local Community

1980 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Outstanding Public Service

1979 Zonta Club of Greater Miami, International Year of the Child Award

1974 Women in Communication, Community Headliner Award

1969 North Shore Kiwanis Club, Humanitarian of the Year

1968 Florist Association of Greater Miami, Sweetest Woman of the Year Award presented by the late Honorable Chuck Hall, Mayor of Miami Beach, along with Jackie Gleason, who received the Sweetest Man of the Year Award