Lynn McBee

Advisor | Dallas, Texas

As a volunteer leader in Dallas for more than 30 years, Lynn McBee has contributed over 45,000 hours of service across more than 30 nonprofit organizations. Her dedication has driven meaningful progress on critical issues—improving education, serving people experiencing homelessness, protecting children, combating domestic violence, and helping underserved students succeed in college.

As Chair of The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, Lynn has overseen the expansion of shelter capacity, forged partnerships with faith-based organizations, and championed innovative recovery-to-housing pathways. Her leadership ensured that hundreds of men and women receive not only temporary refuge but also the job training and case management they need to rebuild their lives.

In early 2022, Mayor Eric Johnson appointed Lynn as Workforce Development Czar for the City of Dallas. In that role, she coordinates public-private efforts to close skills gaps, align training programs with growing industries, and expand wrap-around supports for jobseekers. Under her guidance, the City has launched targeted upskilling initiatives—particularly for displaced and underemployed residents—and strengthened ties between employers, community colleges, and workforce boards to drive inclusive economic growth.

A biochemistry graduate of the University of Texas, Lynn was an early hire at New England Biolabs, where she began as a research scientist and later created strategic partnerships that fueled the company’s growth. Today, NEB is the world leader in genomic research, employing more than 700 people—and Lynn remains an active manager and employee-owner.

Lynn spent over eleven years as CEO of Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN), a public-private partnership that creates STEM-focused, all-girls schools of choice. During her tenure, she grew revenues by 300%, expanded YWPN to 12 campuses, and cultivated strong partnerships with school districts, delivering a 100% college acceptance rate for graduates, many of whom are first-generation students.

Best known for her civic leadership and philanthropic endeavors, Lynn currently holds or has held leadership roles on more than 100 boards and committees, including:

  • Chair, The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center
  • Workforce Development Czar, City of Dallas
  • Chairman Emeritus & Life Member, Visiting Nurse Association
  • Co-Chair, for Oak Cliff
  • Trustee, Dallas Education Foundation & The Family Place Foundation
  • Executive Board Member, AT&T Performing Arts Center & Dallas College Foundation
  • Board Member: Historic Oakland Cemetery; The University of Texas College of Natural Sciences; Dedman College at SMU; Letot Center Foundation; Children’s Medical Center Foundation; Bullock Texas State History Museum; Texas Women’s University Institute for Women’s Leadership; Caruth Police Institute; UNT Business School Executive Board

She is also active in Dallas Breakfast Group, The Crystal Charity Ball, Charter 100, The Dallas Assembly, The International Women’s Forum, Dallas Woman’s Club, The Dallas Summit, and previously served as President and Ball Chairman of the Junior League of Dallas and as Ball Chairman for the Cattle Baron’s Ball.

Lynn’s service has earned her numerous honors, including the Texas Trailblazer Award, 2021 Juanita Craft Humanitarian Visionary Award, the 2022 Maura Award from the Texas Women’s Foundation, the 2023 VolunteerNow Lifetime Achievement Award, and recognition as a 2024 Dallas Business Journal Women in Business honoree.

A native of Freeport, Texas, Lynn’s guiding principles of lifelong learning, integrity, and a commitment to helping others have steered her journey from public school classrooms to the forefront of biotech innovation, nonprofit leadership, and improving Dallas and creating new opportunities for underserved communities.