Tammy Lee replaces Tim Ballard as CEO of Operation Underground Railroad
Operation Underground Railroad, a Utah-based nonprofit dedicated to combatting human trafficking, has announced a new CEO as organization founder Tim Ballard continues to battle misconduct and exploitation lawsuits.
The nonprofit’s board announced in a press release that Tammy Lee assumed the role of CEO beginning Feb. 26.
“On behalf of the entire board, I am thrilled to welcome Tammy to O.U.R,” said Chairman Sean Vassilaros. “Installing O.U.R.’s new CEO is a significant milestone on our path of transformation. Tammy’s passion for the mission and subject matter expertise, coupled with her impressive track record of experience as an organization-builder, make her the ideal leader to steer O.U.R. into the future and rebuild the trust of the anti-trafficking community.”
The organization also announced plans to expand with new centers in Minneapolis; Washington, D.C.; and Miami.
Lee joins O.U.R. from Xena Therapies, a medical technology company that develops solutions for women’s health and orthopedics and provides philanthropic support for women’s health-related causes. Prior to founding Xena Therapies, she was president and CEO of Recombinetics, a bio-tech company focused on human health, regenerative medicine and animal welfare.
Having previously served in senior corporate affairs roles for Carlson, the University of Minnesota Foundation, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines, Lee has extensive experience in building influential coalitions for policy change and spearheading multi-million-dollar fundraising and grantmaking campaigns for philanthropic and corporate ventures, including for trafficking prevention, the release said.
Lee also served on the White House Interagency Task Force to Combat Trafficking in Persons and other national boards that advocate for ending trafficking. Recognized as a subject matter expert, she has been a frequent speaker on corporate philanthropy and best-in-class programs for anti-trafficking initiatives.
“I am honored to serve as O.U.R.’s CEO and grateful for the trust the board has placed in me to lead the organization into its next stage of growth and development,” said Lee. “As CEO, my near-term priorities include advancing O.U.R.’s work as a premier leader in the fight against human trafficking and broadening our base of donors and funding partners to double down on our commitment to providing aftercare programs for the survivors we help rescue. We aspire to become the North Star of compassionate, comprehensive care for survivors.”
Lee also emphasized a bold new vision for growth and impact with expansion to new cities. “We are on a mission to lead the fight against child sexual exploitation and human trafficking worldwide and will accomplish this with the support of the committed team at O.U.R in Salt Lake City and new Centers of Excellence in Minneapolis; Washington, D.C.; and Miami.”
“I am honored to join the team at O.U.R. who have made it their life’s work to rescue and care for victims of human trafficking and provide a pathway to a bright new future. Together, we will accelerate our work to make a difference in the lives of those who have been exploited or trafficked. I’m confident O.U.R. best days are still ahead,” Lee concluded.