Ann Young Lee co-founded CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) with Sean Penn, evolving from Penn’s J/P HRO which was established immediately following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. She counts her seven years living in Haiti as a foundational period that underpins CORE’s ethos – one that is focused on building resilience and led by local communities. Serving as CEO since 2015, Lee transformed CORE into an international NGO focused on emergency response, preparedness and community building. With over two decades of experience in the humanitarian sector, her expertise spans crisis relief, urban planning, community development, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Under Lee’s leadership, CORE responds to crises globally, notably including the Ukraine and Sudan Wars, COVID-19 Pandemic, Pakistan Floods, Hurricanes Melissa and Helene and the Los Angeles Wildfires among many other natural and conflict induced disasters. 

Lee oversees a diverse team of nearly 200 global humanitarian staff dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities in and beyond crises. Lee holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from NYU and a Master’s in Economics & Conflict Management from Johns Hopkins University SAIS. Her recognition includes the Truman Award from the Society for International Development (2009), the Gold House A1 Award for Social Impact (2025), and a place on The Independent’s Climate 100 List of Leading Changemakers (2025). She has been profiled in TIME, ABC News, Associated Press, CNN, The Hollywood Reporter and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and a featured speaker at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Clinton Global Initiative, Concordia Annual Summit, the Economist’s Sustainability Week, Semafor World Economy Summit, Social Impact Summit, SXSW and Brilliant Minds.