Staff Spotlight: Ke-Ke Lee

I love the complexity of it, I love the numbers, I love what it does, and what it can do if you operate within the bounds of it. I’m motivated by being able to help an organization reach its goal and to be a very pivotal part of that process.

Ke-Ke Lee brings nearly 20 years of accounting experience to her role as Controller at ICA.

What is your role in the organization?
As a controller I am the one who helps us reach our financial goals but at the same time encouraging us to be good stewards over our finances. I think they work hand in hand.

I’ve been doing accounting for almost 20 years now, so that’s kind of who I am and what I do.
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How did you come to work at ICA?
I was contacted by a recruiter who was so fired up about ICA and the position that she got me fired up about it, too. I figured that it wasn’t by accident that she found me. I’m very spiritual, and I believe that things happen for a reason. Because I wasn’t looking for it and it found me, I thought that this must be perfect for not only who I am, and what I am, but also what I can bring to the organization and to the individuals here.

I’m also the business manager for my church back home, so this is the role that I’m accustomed to sitting in, and where I best operate. I’ve been operating at the senior level in accounting for about ten years now. I love being able to have my hands on so many different pieces and be responsible for those different pieces, so it just seems to fit.

What keeps you motivated in your role?
This is a brand new role in the organization to give more oversight to the finances, make them more transparent, and prepare us for financial growth. When you have those processes in place, everyone knows what’s going on and how everything works together for the greater good.

What makes ICA unique?
I think the people. The people and the partners that we have, that’s what makes us unique, because you can’t buy or sell that. The people make the heart of the organization. We have people from different backgrounds, different parts of the world, and we bring them all together and make it work. The collaboration makes us better as an organization and as individuals. We’re also unique because we build upon our common goals and embrace our differences. We understand that we are stronger together than we are apart. 

Tell us about yourself: who are you outside of work?
So this is the part where I tell you I’m a great dancer, right? I’ve always loved dancing, and now I’m actually taking a Chicago Steppin’ class. I don’t know how to Step, but I figure while in Rome, do as the Romans do… and while in Chicago, I see that Steppin’ is a big thing.

I’m a woman from Austin, Texas who loves the Dallas Cowboys. So you will catch me in front of the television calling plays and cheering them on as if they can hear me. 

I love people, and that goes across the board. I believe that we should all treat each other humanely, and with respect, regardless of our differences and backgrounds. I’m a lover of people, sports, art, and life. So if you should happen to be in our building and you see someone smiling and dancing down the hall, it’s just me.