Building Bridges Across Campuses, Communities, and Opportunity
BLAC founder Jonathan Lee varies a deep belief that every student deserves to be heard, respected, and valued. He believes that there is nothing more critical than access to an education that provides the ability to obtain knowledge and power. Jonathan further believes that independent schools are an amazing conduit that provides teenagers a means to become great young adults as they prepare for college and life.
Jonathan earned his BA in Government and MBA from the College of William and Mary. Jonathan has served as a mentor, coach, advisor, dorm parent, grade dean, admission officer, and much more during his time working in independent schools.
Our Founder
About Jonathan Lee
I was born in Vallejo, California, but my family moved to Alexandria, Virginia when I was five years old. Growing up in Alexandria shaped a lot of who I am today. I attended Patrick Henry Elementary School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School, and eventually Episcopal High School, though for years I had passed by Episcopal without really understanding what existed behind the gates or what the school would ultimately come to mean in my life.
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I enrolled at Episcopal in the fall of 1997 as a ninth grader. Like many students stepping into a completely new environment, there were moments of growth, discomfort, confusion, challenge, and learning. At times, it felt like I was navigating two completely different worlds that sat less than two miles apart. Looking back now, those experiences taught me a lot about resilience, leadership, belonging, and the importance of feeling seen within a community.
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Over time, Episcopal became a place where I found leadership opportunities through athletics, relationships, mentorship, and service. I was fortunate to serve as a captain of the Cross Country, Basketball, and Track teams while also taking on leadership roles throughout the broader school community. Those experiences helped shape my understanding of teamwork, accountability, and how relationships often become the foundation for growth.
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After graduating from Episcopal in 2001, I attended The College of William & Mary, where I earned my degree in Government and later returned years afterward to complete my MBA. My professional career initially started in project management and technology, but education and mentorship always seemed to pull me back in.
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What began as coaching basketball and cross country eventually evolved into admissions work, advising, mentorship, residential life, and educational leadership. In 2017, I returned to Episcopal in a full-time role and spent the next several years working across many parts of school life as an Associate Director of Admissions, advisor, dormitory head, mentor, coach, and faculty leader.
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Some of the most meaningful moments from those years were never attached to a title. They came through conversations with students, long days on campus, family relationships, late-night check-ins, road trips, games, and the small moments where people simply needed someone willing to listen and show up consistently.
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In recognition of that journey and my continued connection to the Episcopal community, I was honored to be inducted into the Episcopal High School Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. More than anything, it felt like a full-circle moment.
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My career eventually brought me across the country to Seattle, where I continued working in admissions, student leadership, equity and belonging, and institutional culture across independent day schools serving students in grades 1 through 12. My work has included supporting urban educational communities, students with language-based learning differences, families navigating school transitions, and institutions working to strengthen belonging, student support, and long-term community connection.
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Over time, all of those experiences, relationships, transitions, and reflections became the foundation for Bridging Legacies Across Campuses (BLAC).
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BLAC was built from a simple belief: people thrive when they feel connected, supported, understood, and equipped to navigate opportunity with confidence.
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Today, BLAC continues to grow as a space centered around storytelling, leadership, mentorship, educational consulting, career narrative development, and relationship-building across schools, organizations, and communities.
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A lot of my work today is still rooted in the same things I was trying to figure out years ago as a student: how people find belonging, how relationships shape opportunity, and how communities can create spaces where people feel both challenged and supported at the same time.
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Whether through writing, consulting, speaking engagements, mentorship, or simply building relationships over time, my hope is always the same: to help people feel seen, connected, and better prepared for whatever comes next.
