Linda Lee: Career Timeline

Education

Lee earned a bachelor's degree from Barnard College and a Master of Social Work from Columbia University, grounding her in the social-services work that would define her pre-political career ^1,2. Her training as a social worker shaped her approach to policy.

Korean Community Services

Lee served as President and CEO of Korean Community Services (KCS) of Metropolitan New York, a community-based social-service organization focused on bridging Korean immigrants and the wider Asian community into civic life ³. Under her leadership, KCS served over 1,300 members daily and was named a Champion of Change by the Obama White House in 2014 for expanding healthcare access in the Korean community ^3,4. She also created the only New York State-licensed mental health clinic serving the Korean-American community operated by a nonprofit ⁴. Her tenure at KCS established the expertise and community standing that launched her political career.

Community and civic engagement

Before seeking office, Lee built a record of community engagement, serving on Community Board 11 in Queens, as a Commissioner of the New York City Civic Engagement Commission, on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, and on the leadership team of New Vision Covenant Church ³. These roles extended her network and her policy knowledge beyond KCS. They positioned her for a political career.

Elected to the City Council

In 2021, Lee ran for the open District 23 seat in eastern Queens after incumbent Barry Grodenchik announced he would not seek another term ^5,6. She won a competitive seven-candidate Democratic primary and the general election, becoming the first Korean-American elected to the City Council and the first woman to hold the seat ^7,3. She took office in early 2022 as part of a historically diverse incoming Council class. Her election is detailed in the campaigns section of this series.

Mental Health Committee chair

Lee was appointed chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction, a role aligned with her professional background ⁸. From this position she spearheaded the Council's Mental Health Roadmap, a comprehensive policy initiative released in partnership with Speaker Adrienne Adams in April 2023, emphasizing prevention, workforce growth, and expanded community-based services ⁹. The roadmap became her signature policy achievement. Her legislative work is detailed in the legislative section of this series.

Re-election

Lee was re-elected in 2023, defeating Republican Bernard Chow in the general election, securing a full term in her district after an initial shortened term caused by redistricting ¹⁰. The win consolidated her position in the diverse, politically engaged eastern Queens district.

Local Law 97 reform and the City of Yes vote

Lee took on Local Law 97, the city's climate law limiting building emissions, introducing legislation to ease potential penalties for co-op and condo owners by incorporating green space into emissions calculations, a significant issue in her district, which has the largest number of co-op and condo owners in the city ⁶. In December 2024, she voted against the City of Yes housing-rezoning legislation, a notable break from the progressive consensus that reflected her district's concerns ⁵. Both positions underscored her moderate, district-first approach.

Re-election

Lee won re-election again in 2025, defeating Bernard Chow a second time in the general election ¹⁰. Her continued tenure positioned her for a leadership role in the new Council term.

Finance Committee chair

In early 2026, newly elected Speaker Julie Menin appointed Lee chair of the Finance Committee, one of the Council's most powerful positions, which oversees the city's budget process ^5,11. Lee described her approach as moderate and measured, contrasting herself with some more confrontational predecessors in the role, and identified her politics with Speaker Menin's centrist platform ⁵. The appointment marked her arrival as a senior Council leader.

Summary of offices and roles held

President and CEO, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York.

Community Board 11, Queens; Commissioner, NYC Civic Engagement Commission; NAMI NYC board member.

New York City Council, District 23: January 2022 to present (re-elected 2023, 2025).

Council roles: Chair, Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction (later Mental Health and Substance Use); Chair, Committee on Finance (from 2026); vice co-chair, Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus; co-chair, Queens Delegation.