David Lee: INCUMBENT

President & General Manager, WUWM 89.7 Milwaukee's NPR

Why do you want to be on the Outpost Co-op Board of Directors?

I am seeking to serve (again) on the Outpost Co-op Board of Directors because I continue to believe deeply in the co-op’s mission of building a healthier and more sustainable community through a strong, values-driven cooperative grocery model, and because I see this moment as one where experience, perspective, and steady governance can be especially useful to the organization.

Having previously served multiple terms on the board, including leadership roles as Vice President and President, I have worked alongside fellow directors and staff to strengthen board effectiveness, improve accountability, and keep our focus on the long-term strategic issues that matter most to the future of the co-op. That experience has given me a clear understanding of Outpost’s governance culture, its operational realities, and the importance of balancing mission, financial health, and owner trust.

Returning to the board allows me to contribute that institutional knowledge in a practical and forward-looking way, while supporting continuity and mentoring within the board as Outpost continues to evolve. I remain committed to thoughtful, collaborative governance and to helping ensure that the board remains a strong, effective steward of the co-op for years to come.

What professional skills do you bring to a Board position of a $50 million business?

I bring leadership experience grounded in food systems, community engagement, and cooperative governance that aligns well with the responsibilities of a board overseeing a complex, values-driven business.

I spent about 10 years of my professional life as an anti-hunger advocate, focusing on the food system broadly, including food distribution, grocery retail, agriculture, and supply chains, with an emphasis on how these systems affect access, equity, and community well-being.

More recently, I have held leadership roles within Milwaukee’s civic, arts, and media landscape, including service with WUWM and Imagine MKE, where I have supported community-centered institutions that rely on strong governance, public trust, and long-term sustainability.

My prior service on the Outpost Co-op Board of Directors, including terms as Vice President and President, has given me a deep understanding of the co-op’s operations, culture, and policy governance framework, allowing me to contribute immediately and thoughtfully at the board level while keeping both mission and community impact at the center of decision-making.

Please describe how you would contribute to the diversity, equity, and inclusivity of the board.

I would contribute to the strength of the board by bringing perspective shaped by a life and career spent moving across different communities, cultures, and lived realities, and by approaching board work with an awareness that decisions land differently depending on who you are and where you sit. I was born in Taiwan, grew up in San Francisco, studied in a small town in New York, built professional experience in large urban non-profit systems, and made a home and community in Milwaukee, and that range of experiences has made me comfortable in spaces that are not my own and attentive to who may not yet feel fully included in the conversation.

In practice, this shows up in how I listen, the questions I ask, and my instinct to consider who is affected by a decision beyond the boardroom. I value thoughtful disagreement, clear communication, and making room for perspectives that may challenge prevailing assumptions, especially when the board is weighing choices that shape access, opportunity, and community trust. My goal is to help foster a board culture that reflects the real complexity of the community Outpost serves and that makes decisions with that full picture in mind.

Describe your prior involvement with community organizations and/or cooperatives.

I have a long history of involvement with community-based organizations, including cooperatives, arts institutions, media, and advocacy groups, primarily in board and governance roles. In addition to my current service with Outpost Co-op, I serve on the boards of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Skylight Music Theatre, and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

Previously, I have served on the boards of Ex Fabula, which strengthens community connection through personal storytelling; the Wisconsin Local Food Network, focused on building resilient and equitable food systems; the Healthy Kids Collaborative of Dane County, dedicated to improving child health outcomes; and the Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund, which advances civic engagement around social, economic, and environmental issues.