WFAA invited each of the nine candidates for Dallas mayor to answer the following questions to help inform voters before the May 4th election.

Here are Lynn McBee’s responses:

Occupation:

As CEO of Young Women’s Prep Network for the past 5 years, I’ve taken on the vital challenge of helping thousands of public school girls gain a top-notch STEM-focused education and go to college – creating thousands of first-generation college grads and shifting cycles of poverty – and we’re succeeding. To date, our graduates have a 100% college acceptance rate. From my work in education, I’ve seen that investing in people and in our future lifts us all and can shift generational trends.

Education:

I grew up in Freeport, Texas – I’m a product of Texas public education and hold a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas.

How long have you lived in the city of Dallas?

For the past 25 years, I’ve been actively involved in helping solve Dallas’ most difficult challenges, serving on boards of more than 25 organizations, and leading on tough issues like homelessness, domestic violence and improving education. My husband and I moved to the downtown parks district last summer, and we love living in the heart of Dallas.

Why are you running for mayor?

Our city needs a fresh perspective from someone outside of politics who can rise above the fray, find common ground, focus on the mission, and get things DONE. As a volunteer leader for the past 25 years, I’ve taken on some of Dallas’ toughest issues, including leadership roles on homelessness, fighting domestic abuse, improving public education and removing barriers to college for under-served students. From more than 25 years of non-profit work, I’ve learned that serving people is not just about raising money and managing budgets – that some of the biggest impacts come from simply how we treat each other, communicate, and relate to each other as people.

Through my career in biotech, education, and in serving our community, I’ve learned so many valuable lessons, I’ve led boards and committees made up of different personalities and backgrounds – often as the only woman at the table – and I’ve seen first-hand that success is never about one person, one idea or a single approach to an issue. Successful leadership that solves problems is about bringing everyone to the table, aligning behind a shared mission and putting action behind vision. This collaborative, focused style is the same approach I’ll take as Mayor, focusing on creating the best quality of life for those who choose to make Dallas “home.”

Prior political experience or civic leadership involvement?

Dallas Women’s Foundation, 2009 – 2012: Board member for the Dallas Women’s Foundation (now Texas Women’s Foundation)

VNA, 1994 – current: Board Chair for the Visiting Nurse Association, awarded VNA Lifetime Director.

The Family Place, 1995 – current: Auxiliary member, Board member and Board Chair of The Family Place and their Foundation, awarded the 2017 Texas Trailblazer Award from The Family Place.

Junior League of Dallas (JLD), 1996 – current: member, Board Member, past President, Chair of various service projects, and now a Sustaining Advisor.

Children’s Medical Center Auxiliary, Board & Foundation, 2000 – current: Auxiliary member, Board member, Trustee on the Children’s Foundation.

Dallas County Community College District Foundation (DCCCD), 2007 – current: Board member

AT&T Performing Arts Center, 2007 – current: Board member

The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, 2010 – current: member of the inaugural Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Board

The Letot Center Campaign Committee & Foundation, 2011 – 2016: Campaign Committee member and Foundation Board Member

Dallas Afterschool, 2014 – current: Board member

In addition, I’ve served in leadership positions and volunteered the following non-profits:

After School All Stars

American Cancer Society

Boys & Girls Club of Dallas (Tutor)

Cattle Baron’s Ball

Community Partners of Dallas

Crystal Charity Ball

Dallas Film Society

Dallas Historical Society

The Dallas Opera

Dedman College Executive Board at SMU

Genesis Women’s Shelter

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas

Habitat for Humanity

Salvation Army

SPCA

TACA – The Arts Community Alliance, Dallas

Texas Ballet Theater

The Trinity Trust / Trinity Park Conservancy

United Way Tocqueville Society

The University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Board

UTD Center For Brain Health

Voice of Hope (Tutor)

There are a lot of candidates in this race, why should voters choose you over someone else?

Experience. My work as an executive at a biotech startup and as a CEO gives me the business and leadership background needed to serve as Mayor. And, my long-term and deep involvement as a volunteer and non-profit leader give me a deep, first-hand understanding of the big issues facing Dallas.

I’ve seen what works, I’ve seen what doesn’t work, and I have the knowledge and relationships to bring all the stakeholders to the table to create sustainable solutions. READ MORE