Lynn McBee is a seventh-generation Texan and Great, Great, Great, Great-Granddaughter of Emily Austin, sister to Stephen F. Austin, The Father of Texas.
She is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where she received a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. She has worked as a biochemist and in business development with a privately held Biotech firm for 27 years. In January of 2014 she was named the Chief Executive Officer of Young Women’s Preparatory Network.
Lynn is best known for her leadership roles in the Dallas community and for her philanthropic endeavors. Currently, she is Chairman of the Board of the Bridge Homeless Shelter; Chairman of the Board of The Family Place Foundation; Chairman Emeritus and Life Member of the Board of the Visiting Nurse Association; Co-Chair of the Coalition for a New Dallas; AT&T Performing Arts Center Board of Directors; The University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Board; Dallas County Community College District Foundation Executive Board; Dedman College Executive Board at Southern Methodist University; Letot Center Foundation Trustee; Texas Women’s Foundation Advisory Board; Chi Omega Foundation National Trustee; Children’s Medical Center Foundation Trustee; the Bullock Texas State History Museum Board of Directors; the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute board at UTSW; Texas Women’s University Institute for Women’s Leadership Board and The Salvation Army Advisory Board. She is past Chairman of the Board of The Dallas Opera, TACA, the Dallas Historical Society and the Dallas Film Society. She has served on the boards of The Trinity Park Conservancy, Texas Ballet Theater and the friends of the Texas Historical Commission.
Lynn is a member of The Crystal Charity Ball, Charter 100, Dallas Woman’s Club and the Sweetheart Ball. She is a past President and Ball Chairman for the Junior League of Dallas and former Ball Chairman of the Cattle Baron’s Ball.
Additionally, she is a graduate of Leadership Dallas and was a 2006 finalist for the Texas Trailblazer Award. The Dallas Junior Chamber of Commerce named Lynn one of “Five Outstanding Young Dallasites” for 2007. She won a 2007 NorthStar award for her leadership and work with TACA. She also received the 2008 “Rising Star” award given out by The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas. She was the “Honored Philanthropist” at the 2008 Children’s Cancer Fund Luncheon. She was given the Diamond Award for outstanding volunteer service in June of 2011 by RSVP Calendar. In the fall of 2011, she was honored at the Presbyterian Foundation Luncheon with an “Each Moment Matters” Award, Leadership Dallas Hero Award for their 35th Anniversary and with the “Real Women, Real Girls “Award from the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. She recently received the Partners for Children Award from Community Partners of Dallas and was named one of the “Ten Best Dressed” Women of Dallas for her work in the Community by The Crystal Charity Ball. She was honored as “Woman of the Year” by Les Femme Du Monde in 2014 and the Fashion Group International awarded her with “Arts Patron of the Year” in the fall of 2016. In the fall of 2017, she received the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award and was also honored with the Texas Trailblazer Award for her work with The Family Place.
Lynn is an avid runner, a former oboist, and a classically trained pianist. Lynn loves going to the movies and attending film festivals, running, spinning, traveling, reading, and spending time with her nieces. She has been married to her husband Allan for 19 years.
