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E. Desmond "Des"
Lee is the co-founder of the Des Lee Collaborative
Vision. He underwrites most of the DLCV's professorships,
programs and projects. Before turning to philanthropy
full time, Des presided over the Lee-Rowan Co., a successful
St. Louis-based company that was purchased by manufacturing
conglomerate Newell Co. in 1993. It was after World
War II that Des returned home to St. Louis and convinced
his father to invest $2,500 into a business. They would
manufacture wire forms that creased shirts and pants.
Their product line soon included wire hangers, closet
organizers and storage units, and the company expanded
to two manufacturing plants in Missouri. But even as
the company grew and profits rose, Des always had time
for his family and employees. His relationship with
his employees was exemplary and continues to serve as
a benchmark of labor-management relations. Since selling
Lee-Rowan, Des has committed his time, energy and dollars
to making St. Louis a national example of how an entire
community can work together to improve the life of each
community member. Des says the DLCV is "the greatest
thing in my life." |
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Former
University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Blanche
Touhill is the co-founder of the Des Lee Collaborative
Vision. Under her leadership, the number of DLCV-endowed
professorships has grown from 12 to more than 30. And
her commitment to diversity and collaboration has earned
her recognition from the Urban League of Metropolitan
St. Louis, The Ethical Society of St. Louis and Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. State Celebrations Commission.
In 1997, the chancellor became the first woman to receive
the St. Louis Citizen of the Year Award, which is sponsored
by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
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Wendell
Smith is the director of the Des Lee Collaborative
Vision. He is responsible for managing the DLCV. His work
focuses on promoting the DLCV and linking educational
partners with the more than 30 DLCV-endowed professors.
Wendell has worked at the University of Missouri-St. Louis
since 1974. He has held a number of positions, including
associate vice chancellor of academic affairs, director
of telecommunications and dean of Continuing Education
and Outreach. Wendell earned a bachelor's degree in education
from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater in 1964.
He went on to earn a master's degree in education there
in 1965. In 1969, he obtained a doctoral degree in teacher
education from The Ohio State University in Columbus. |
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Steffanie
Harting-Rockette is the associate director of the
Des Lee Collaborative Vision. She works with St. Louis
philanthropist Des Lee, former University of Missouri-St.
Louis Chancellor Blanche Touhill and more than 30 DLCV-endowed
professors at UMSL, Washington University in St. Louis
and Webster University in Webster Groves, Mo. Her work
focuses on promoting the DLCV and linking educational
partners with the endowed professors. Before joining UMSL,
Steffanie was a legislative director for a Missouri state
senator. She earned a bachelor's degree in public relations
and writing from Southeast Missouri State University,
and she's pursuing a master's degree at UMSL. Steffanie
and Tony, her husband, live in St. Louis with their mixed
collie, Lady. |
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Carole
Ritter is an administrative associate for the Des
Lee Collaborative Vision. She supports the DLCV by improving
the organization's community outreach and handling event
planning. Carole has worked closely with DLCV co-founder
Des Lee for more than 16 years. Her career with Des began
while he still was president and owner of Lee-Rowan Co.
Carole has continued to assist Des with his philanthropic
work. She handles Des' correspondence, appointments and
general accounting. Carole is also a board member of the
Lee Foundation. She and Len, her husband, have been married
49 years. They live in Belleville, Ill., and have two
sons and four grandchildren. In her spare time, Carole
loves to travel, view exhibits at art museums and plant
zinnias in the summer. She also is an avid swimmer and
snorkeler. |
