Influential Women Highlights Kalyn Lee: Advancing Equitable Education & Community Impact Through Communications
Kalyn Lee, a communications and education leader based in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, is building a multifaceted career centered on one consistent purpose: helping people access the resources, opportunities, and support they need to succeed. Through her work as a Communications Associate at GoFundMe, Assistant Professor at Broward College, and Program Director of the Miami-Dade Urban Debate League, Kalyn has established herself as an advocate for education, a mentor to students, and a communicator committed to elevating stories that matter.
For more than a decade, her professional journey has connected debate, education, communications, and community engagement. Today, as Program Director of the Miami-Dade Urban Debate League, Kalyn has played a central role in its significant turnaround over the past three years. Her leadership has focused on expanding programming, rebuilding infrastructure, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing equitable access to debate education for students attending Title I schools throughout Miami-Dade County and South Florida.
One of the most recent milestones under her leadership was the organization’s inaugural gala, which raised $72,000 to support student programming and future growth. The achievement reflects her ability to bring people together around a shared mission while translating that support into tangible opportunities for students.
Her commitment to educational equity is rooted in experience. Kalyn began competing in debate in 2009 while she was still in high school. Her talent and dedication eventually earned her a full scholarship to compete on the University of Alabama’s collegiate debate team. During her collegiate career, she strengthened her expertise in argumentation, public speaking, leadership, and critical thinking.
After transitioning into coaching as a graduate student, she continued developing her impact as an educator and mentor. In 2017, Kalyn joined the Miami-Dade Urban Debate League as a debate coach at Miami Carol City Senior High School as a Teach for American Miami corp member. Her work in education later expanded through Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she was recognized as Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2020.
During her time in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Kalyn also worked alongside education leaders, including school board members Luisa Santos, Lucia Baez-Geller, and Steve Gallon III, advocating for increased resources and support for Title I schools. These experiences reinforced her belief that meaningful educational change requires both strong relationships and a willingness to advocate for students and communities that deserve greater access to opportunity.
Her influence has also continued into higher education. Kalyn has taught at Miami Dade College and Broward College, where she has had the unique opportunity to mentor students through different stages of their educational journeys. Some of the students she first encountered in high school have continued to cross paths with her as they pursue college degrees and professional goals.
For Kalyn, education is not simply about delivering information. It is about helping students recognize their potential and equipping them with the confidence and skills to navigate the next stage of their lives. Her background in debate has provided a natural foundation for that mission, giving her a framework for teaching students how to think critically, communicate clearly, advocate for themselves, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
Alongside her work in education and debate, Kalyn brings her communication expertise to GoFundMe, where she partners with journalists across the country. In this role, she helps elevate stories involving individuals and communities navigating crisis, seeking opportunity, and working to build better futures.
The combination of her professional roles reflects a common thread throughout Kalyn’s career. Whether she is working with a student, building a community partnership, supporting a nonprofit organization, or helping journalists identify meaningful stories, she sees communication as a tool for connecting people with resources and opportunities.
On a more personal level, Kalyn attributes much of her success to three foundational pillars: faith, family, and friends. She grew up in a household where prayer and faith were important parts of her upbringing. As she has grown older, she has continued to believe that having faith can provide grounding and direction.
Her family has also remained a consistent source of support. Her parents have been present throughout her journey, celebrating her accomplishments and encouraging her through challenges. Their support was especially meaningful during the Miami-Dade Urban Debate League’s inaugural gala, when they traveled from Alabama and Georgia to be there for her.
Kalyn believes that surrounding herself with people who will hold her accountable and encourage her growth has been essential. Her father’s advice, “never be the smartest person in the room,” has become a guiding principle in both her personal and professional life.
As a child, Kalyn did not immediately understand why being the smartest person in the room would be something to avoid. Over time, however, she came to understand the deeper lesson: growth requires being surrounded by people who have something to teach you.
For her, the right environment is one where people are willing to challenge her, offer honest feedback, and push themselves forward as well. Kalyn values relationships with people who are willing to tell her not only what she wants to hear, but what she needs to hear. That accountability helps her remain inspired, motivated, and focused on the trajectory she wants for her life.
That philosophy also informs the advice she offers young women entering communications, education, and related fields. Kalyn’s strongest recommendation is to network consistently and intentionally.
She believes traditional career pathways have changed. While education, internships, and qualifications remain important, professional relationships can play an increasingly significant role in creating opportunities. Rather than simply focusing on who someone knows, Kalyn encourages young professionals to think about who knows them.
Her advice is to get into the rooms where meaningful conversations are happening. Attend mixers and seminars, meet people who are already working in fields or positions that align with personal goals, and continually look for opportunities to build authentic professional relationships. The objective is not simply to collect contacts, but to establish a reputation and make sure one’s name is remembered when opportunities arise.
Moreover, Kalyn encourages young women to be intentional about the professional roles they take on. While she has worn multiple hats throughout her career, she believes those hats should reflect genuine passion and purpose.
For Kalyn, the different dimensions of her career are not disconnected. Communications, education, debate, and community leadership all contribute to the same overarching mission: helping people.
Her career demonstrates how a person can use multiple areas of expertise to create a broader impact. From classrooms and debate rooms to nonprofit leadership and communications, she continues to build pathways for connection and opportunity.
As she looks toward the future, her work remains grounded in the belief that access matters, relationships matter, and effective communication can help transform lives. Through her leadership of the Miami-Dade Urban Debate League, teaching at Broward College, and communications work at GoFundMe, Kalyn Lee continues to bring those principles into practice while creating opportunities for the communities and students she serves.
Learn More about Kalyn Lee:
Through her Influential Women profile, https://influentialwomen.com/connect/kalyn-lee or through her profile on Miami Dade Urban Debate League, https://www.miamiudl.org/team
Influential Women
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