WASHINGTON, DC, January 20, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Yolanda S. Lee has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Lee has built a profound career in financial management and budgeting, with a notable tenure at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ms. Lee currently serves as a senior advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Operations, Public and Indian Housing Directorate, a role she assumed in August 2024. In this capacity, she provides strategic guidance on fiscal policies and practices and serves as a mentor for junior management analysts. Prior to this role, she joined the Office of Budget and Financial Management as director in May 2021, a role in which she has overseen comprehensive budgetary operations and initiatives for approximately 60 percent of HUD's overall budget supporting Public and Indian Housing programs. The funding supported innovative housing solutions for over 2.2 million low-income families while supporting more than 4,000 Public Housing Authorities and over 1,400 employees nationwide. Acting as one of the authoritative voices on financial policy, she interpreted complex legislation, ensured compliance, and aligned billions in budgetary resources with high-priority agency goals.

Before her tenure at HUD, she served as an Air Force Liaison and the director of financial management and comptroller, providing presidential support from 2017 to 2021 at the White House Military Office prior to her retirement as a lieutenant colonel (Lt Col) April 2021.

Ms. Lee had an extensive military service record with the United States Air Force with over three decades of service. Beginning her military career as a security forces member in 1990, approximately five years later Ms. Lee transitioned into financial management, where she served as a budget analyst and resource advisor until 2000, then becoming a financial services officer following her commission from Officer Training School in 2001. Throughout her career, she held critical leadership positions, including appropriations manager for the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, comptroller commander at Goodfellow Air Force Base, budget analyst on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, an executive officer for the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cost and Economics (SAF/FMC), and, as previously highlighted, the director of financial management and comptroller at the White House Military Office, among other positions. Early in her military career, Ms. Lee demonstrated exemplary qualities, leading to her promotion to Senior Airman Below the Zone (SrA BTZ) and garnering her the John Levitow Award, the highest honor bestowed upon graduates of the Air Force's Enlisted Professional Military Education program.

Alongside those leadership experiences, Ms. Lee's deployment to Iraq from 2010 to 2011 marked a significant milestone in her career. As an advisor to the Iraqi Air Force, she was instrumental in them establishing their first budget, which was crucial for aircraft acquisition and training programs. This achievement underscored her leadership skills and ability to make impactful changes in challenging environments.

For her invaluable service and contributions, Ms. Lee received numerous accolades, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Secretary of Defense Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak clusters, one of which she was acknowledged for saving a limb of another service member. She was also bestowed with the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three service stars, and the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, among many other decorations.

Academically, Ms. Lee continuously graduated with honors ranging from Cum Laude to the highest honor, Summa Cum Laude. She holds a Master of Science in government information leadership, with a chief financial officer concentration, from the National Defense University, a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science degree in management finance from Park University. Complementing her degrees, Ms. Lee obtained several certifications, including the Chief Financial Officer Certificate from the National Defense University and a DoD Financial Management Certification Level III. Additionally, she was a certified defense financial manager with an acquisition specialty through the American Society of Military Comptrollers.

Ms. Lee's journey has been one of resilience and perseverance in her personal and professional journey, which included difficulties she encountered while serving in the military, such as having to prove herself and her leadership capabilities early in her career in a male-dominated field as a security specialist. Navigating these experiences shaped her, fueling her determination to become the accomplished individual she is today, showcasing her fortitude and ambition to overcome any obstacle. Breaking the cycle, she has not only transformed her own path but has also become a role model for others to follow. Lt Col April Williams and Major Toni Agnew, both retired from the USAF, significantly influenced Ms. Lee's growth by recognizing her potential and guiding her towards opportunities beyond her comfort zone. She gives a sincere thanks to Toni for babysitting her son Julian so she could complete her academic requirements to apply for OTS. "April received the baton from Toni, who also recognized my potential, mentored me, and put me in uncomfortable situations that better prepared me to fight a different battle when it came to the officer corps," Ms. Lee expressed. The interest and time they invested in me became a catalyst for my success, ensuring I was prepared for every challenge I faced.

Beyond her professional work, Ms. Lee is actively involved in civic and philanthropic efforts. She actively supports the works and mission of City of Praise Family Ministries and makes generous contributions to organizations such as the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Heifer International, the Special Olympics, and Wounded Warriors. In her leisure time, she enjoys weightlifting, playing basketball, and spending quality time with her family. Looking to the future, Ms. Lee plans to leverage her extensive experience and dedication to service by launching a real estate business focused on providing housing for veterans and low-income families upon retirement from the federal government.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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