Early Life
Thai Lee was born in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1958, but spent much of her childhood in South Korea. Her family moved frequently due to her father's work as a Korean economist. Lee moved to the United States during her teens and attended high school in Amherst, Massachusetts. She attended Amherst College, earning a double major in biology and economics.
Rise to Success
Lee graduated with an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1985, becoming the first Korean woman to achieve this milestone. In 1989, she co-founded SHI International with her then-husband, Leo KoGuan. Initially, SHI was a small software reseller. Under Lee's leadership, SHI transformed into a global IT solutions provider, achieving over $14 billion in revenue and becoming the largest woman-owned business in the United States.
Key Business Strategies
Lee's strategy focused on building a customer-centric company. She emphasized employee training and created a supportive work environment. SHI's success is attributed to its ability to adapt to changing market needs and forge strong partnerships. The company provides a wide array of IT solutions, including hardware, software, and cloud computing services, to a diverse customer base. Lee has kept both customers and employees satisfied, emphasizing value in every aspect of the business.
Philanthropy
Thai Lee is involved in various educational and philanthropic initiatives. She serves as a Life Trustee at Amherst College and is a member of the board of directors of The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.
