More About Us

Jim and Mary's community contributions: 

Founders and Sponsors of “Little Rembrandts” Children's Education Initiative “Little Rembrandts”, a program that allows business leaders to connect with challenged children through art, was the brainchild of Mary Lee. Lee Financial Partners, LLC provided the funding and both Jim and Mary have volunteered their time to make it happen.

The mission of the “Little Rembrandts” program is to provide underprivileged children access to art classes; instill in them a sense of pride, self-worth, and accomplishment; and allow them to connect with others through creative expression. In 2012, Little Rembrandts brought together St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce business leaders and children of Lyon Elementary School to create artwork to be displayed, donated or auctioned through St. Tammany Parish Hospital’s Healing Arts Initiative.

Project Dream Catchers Founders In 2008, Lee Financial Partners, LLC founded Project Dream Catchers, an adult literacy program designed to encourage and promote adult education for those less fortunate. Project Dream Catchers encourages adult learners to "find the strength within" to attain their academic goals.

Tulane NROTC Sponsor Family Jim and Mary are a Sponsor Family for Tulane University’s ROTC Midshipmen Program. This program prepares our best and brightest men and women, those with academic and military excellence, for Officers Training School. The Lees were chosen to mentor this group of young leaders. The Lees hold annual gatherings in their home to support the mission in education and national defense.

Mary's community work and affiliations: 

    Louisiana State Arts Council, Chairman: June 2015-Present

Louisiana State Arts Council Member The St. Tammany Parish President, Pat Brister, appointed Mary Lee to the State Arts Council to represent St. Tammany Parish. The Louisiana State Arts Council (LSAC) is a volunteer body appointed by the Governor. The LSAC meets quarterly to address arts related issues of importance to the state as well as having the authority to approve all grant awards made by the Louisiana Division of the Arts.

Children's Advocacy Center / Hope House Executive Board of Directors Member: 2012-2014The mission of Children’s Advocacy Center / Hope House is to provide hope and healing to abused children and to bring awareness of the realities of child abuse to the community. As a CAC/Hope House Executive Board Member, Mary works to raise awareness, and to develop and sustain a place where abused children can find safety and compassion.

1st Annual "Men Who Cook" Event Chairman: 2012This charitable event was presented by Lee Financial Partners and chaired by Mary Lee. It featured cooks from community leadership positions and stewards of our community’s children, paired with local restaurants to raise proceeds for the Children's Advocacy Center / Hope House and to ensure critical services can be provided to the children of St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce Board Member: 2013Mary Lee’s love and loyalty for St Tammany Parish inspired her to join with other business leaders to nurture our parish’s business and economic growth. As a Chamber Advisory Board Member, Mary is a voice for St. Tammany’s business community, advocating for important local and state legislation as well as a cooperative business community that cultivates growth and prosperity for our community.

St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce's Cultural Economy Committee, Chairman:2012The Chamber’s Cultural Economy Committee promotes and recognizes the local arts and other creative businesses for their important economic and quality of life contributions to our community. Mary is a past chairperson and chaired the committee’s annual luncheon from 2010-2012. She currently serves as a member of this committee, working to sustain and enhance the cultural environment of St Tammany; to keep the arts alive, well and central to our community.

St. Tammany Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees: 2014-PresentThe St. Tammany Hospital Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established to sustain the healing work of the physicians and staff of St. Tammany Parish Hospital. Through the development of philanthropic support, the Foundation seeks to fortify the promise to provide world-class healthcare…close to home, now and for generations to come. As a board member, Mary works with the Foundation to achieve their goal of positively impacting the healthcare and well-being of the entire Northshore community.

St. Tammany Parish Hospital’s Healing Arts Initiative Chairman: 2014-Present From lighted ceiling panels that display soothing scenery (“healing ceilings”) to noise reducing flooring and soothing “bubble walls”, the Healing Arts are all about creating environments that promote healing using a multisensory approach. Mary was appointed as Chair of the Healing Arts Initiative and remains active in the initiative’s efforts to incorporate the Healing Arts into every phase of St. Tammany Parish Hospital’s expansion. She also organizes events and community outreach efforts that help to raise awareness for this important work.

Leadership St. Tammany Alumni: Class of 2012Mary Lee is a graduate of Leadership St. Tammany’s intensive nine month training, a program that brings together the community’s top emerging leaders, hones their leadership styles, educates them on the strengths and weaknesses of our parish, heightens their sense of civic responsibility, involves them in public affairs and optimizes their service to St. Tammany.

Louisiana Creative Communities Initiative (LCCI) Board Member: 2013 Mandeville was the only municipality to join nine Louisiana parishes chosen to receive a grant from the Louisiana Office of Cultural Economy. This initiative was designed to help communities undergo a Tourism Rebranding Renaissance. Mary Lee was selected by the Mayor of Mandeville to sit on the board responsible for this effort for the City of Mandeville. Along with her fellow board members, Mary is working to bring together and add to the many wonderful things Mandeville has to offer.

Jim's community work and affiliations: 

Children's Advocacy Center / Hope House Fund Development Board Committee Member: 2014The Children’s Advocacy Center / Hope House works to provide hope and healing to abused children and to bring awareness of the realities of child abuse to the community. Both the impact and importance of this organization have moved the Lees to become one of the CAC/Hope House’s primary corporate sponsors and to assist with the organization's ongoing fundraising efforts.

Leadership St. Tammany: Class of 2014 Jim Lee was selected to be a part of Leadership St. Tammany’s intensive nine month training, a program that brings together the community’s top emerging leaders, hones their leadership styles, educates them on the strengths and weaknesses of our parish, heightens their sense of civic responsibility, involves them in public affairs and optimizes their service to St. Tammany.

St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce Member: 2008-Present The St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce's mission is to strengthen the business climate of west St. Tammany by promoting the community's continued development and enhancing the economic vitality of the region. The Chamber supports member businesses in a variety of ways, providing peer-to-peer networking opportunities, educating the public at large on issues of importance and advocating for favorable laws within the state legislature.

Kiwanis Club of Northshore Mandeville Member:2013-PresentThe Kiwanis Club of Northshore Mandeville, Louisiana is a service organization comprised of caring men and women from all walks of life whose objective is to aid children in need. Their efforts benefit children in our local community. A portion of the Kiwanis Club’s funds also goes to help Kiwanis International meet objectives which focus on the specials needs of children from prenatal development to age five.

New Orleans Marine Support Group Board Member Jim and his fellow Marines coordinate the annual Marine Corps Ball and assist with the annual Toys-for-Tots foundation fundraiser. He is also a member of the Marine Corps Association.

Martial Arts Master — Belted in 7 Disciplines, Fourth Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do & Master Instructor for Children for more than 15 years Jim began his martial arts journey 40 years ago in the Marine Corps, having trained with Grand Masters around the world. He holds belts in the disciplines of Shotokan, Ishinryu, Kuk Sool Won and Tae Kwon Do. Jim is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has been a Martial Arts Instructor for more than 15 years.