Early Life
Thai Lee was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1958, to Korean parents. Her family moved frequently due to her father's work as an economist. She spent her childhood in South Korea before moving to the United States as a teenager. She attended Amherst College, where she earned a double major in biology and economics. Lee's father was the first Korean graduate of Amherst College.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Amherst College, Lee pursued an MBA from Harvard Business School, becoming the first Korean woman to achieve this. In 1989, she co-founded SHI International with her then-husband, Leo KoGuan. Starting as a small software reseller, Lee's leadership and strategic vision propelled SHI to become a leading global IT solutions provider.
Key Business Strategies
Lee's approach involved a long-term perspective and a focus on exceeding customer expectations, which led to high customer retention rates. Her commitment to providing innovative, scalable solutions and world-class customer support has been instrumental in SHI's growth. She has also emphasized moving quickly to seize opportunities in the rapidly changing technology market. Lee also credits Buddhist teachings with helping her maintain perspective.
Philanthropy
Thai Lee is involved in philanthropy through the Thai Lee Foundation, which supports refugees, education, and cancer research initiatives. The Thai Lee Foundation, with assets totaling $13.4 million as of 2024, provides grants to various organizations, including those focused on education and human rights.