Lee Kappes is the chief executive officer of the Danielson Group. Prior to her appointment in May 2024, she served as the organization’s founding director of program development, growth and impact. During her 18 years in the classroom, Kappes taught kindergarten and grades 2–6, serving six years as a union president. She continued her career in public education as a staff developer, school leader, coach, mentor, and senior academic leader in an urban school district. She went on to serve as an external partner to schools, districts, and state education agencies, providing instructional leadership and strategy guidance, instructional coaching, and developmental support for teacher-centered professional learning systems.