From combat to corporate, Brig. Gen. Leela (Lee) J. Gray (ret.) has led complex operations with diverse teams from 100 to 10,000 people. She is a global operations executive with more than 25 years of experience in strategic leadership, change management, business continuity, and cyber and risk management based on data-driven decision-making. Her skills include cybersecurity risk, risk management, geopolitical perspective, change management, compliance, crisis response, government relations, human capital, and global operations.

In August 2023, she joined the board of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which serves the United States by honoring its defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities. Since May 2021, Gray has served on the board of Monterey Capital Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: MCAC), a clean energy special purpose acquisition company currently acquiring ConnectM, which is focused on accelerating the transition to an all-electric and zero-carbon future through decarbonization, electrification, and energy efficiency through integrated technology solutions for residential and commercial clients. During this same time, she has also served on the board of Empower, a software-as-a-service company innovating the rideshare economy with drivers subscribing to the platform and earning more money while also lowering costs to riders. Previous board service includes Cycurion (March 2022 to October 2023), a network and cybersecurity technology solutions provider that serves government and corporate clients, where she served as compensation chair and facilitated a CEO transition, and the Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity (June 2019 to June 2021), $100 million international nonprofit with 100,000 members.

After retiring from the military in 2018, Gray served as strategic advisor to US Army Cyber Command. She played a key role in innovating and modernizing cyber policy shaped by her market and stakeholder insights, including during her tenure at the Department of State in 2014 and 2015 where she created interagency and international partner initiatives in cyber and information warfare.

From 2015 to 2018 as a general officer in the 86th Training Division and US Army Central, Gray guided new strategies to transform operational effectiveness using a data-driven approach for training and logistic efficiencies and improving future combat-readiness and mass mobilizations. Gray led adaptive, scenario-driven training for more than 20,000 people in logistic, engineer, medical, and telecom units disbursed nationwide and shaped the policies and governance of multi-year training cycles. As a general and national security senior executive from 2013 to 2018, Gray represented the United States internationally, shaping policy and advising on logistics and training. Having served in two combat operations and one peacekeeping mission, Gray's international and legislative experience spanned positions within the Department of State (2014-2015) and on Capitol Hill as the chief of legislative affairs of the US Army Reserve (2013-2014), where she negotiated a $9 billion budget.

While serving part time in the Army Reserve, Gray built a corporate career in various roles at private and public companies from 1997 to 2012, developing expertise in technology, sales, and customer-relationship management while at CACI and a start-up technology company. During her time at Booz Allen Hamilton and FleishmanHillard, she led large programs and deepened her expertise in strategic communications, public relations, and crisis communications while serving clients in technology, industrials, public health, and government.

In community service, Gray mentors start-up founders for Tampa Bay Wave's Tech Accelerator programs as well as actively advocates for veteran organizations serving transitioning service members and spouses.

Gray holds the NACD Directorship Certification, a master of strategic studies from the US Army War College, a master of arts in journalism from Ball State University, and a bachelor of arts in communications from Elon University. She is a public speaker on leadership and leader development, a multigenerational mentor, and a member of the International Women's Forum.