Brian Lee

Brian Lee is the Program Director for Eastern Europe at the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE). He oversees the organization’s engagement in the Eastern European region, which includes Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia. A main focus of his portfolio is Ukraine, where he leads CIPE’s efforts to ensure that the Ukrainian private sector is fully engaged and contributes to Ukraine’s economic recovery and reconstruction process, as well as the country’s EU accession process. This includes supporting anti-corruption and business integrity efforts, workforce development initiatives, and mentorship for business leaders, in particular for women. Another focus is CIPE’s work in Moldova, where he oversees a portfolio that supports the country’s continued efforts to democratic and market-oriented economic institutions as it looks to join the European Union.    

Prior to CIPE, Brian worked in the U.S. Congress, advising Members on issues related to foreign affairs and national security, trade and commerce, and financial services and entrepreneurship. In addition, Brian has over a decade of experience working across the globe. He spent the majority of this time working on rule of law and security issues with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Europe, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia, in addition to projects that focused on elections and civil society development in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. He also spent a couple years in Latin America, where he advised a variety of start-ups on development and market entry and assisted boutique wineries to enter the U.S. and other markets. 

Brian holds a BA with Honors in Economics, German, and International Relations from the University of Arkansas, and received a Master in Advanced International Studies from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and University of Vienna, where he studied as a Fulbright Scholar.