LEE Branding

Every kid needs a space that’s truly their own — that’s what local non-profit (and Northeast Minneapolis neighbor) My Very Own Bed believes.

Through his work helping families move out of shelters and into homes, founder Michael Allen noticed that basic furnishings — like a child’s bed — were out of reach, leading to poor sleeping conditions for those children.

In its mission to provide new beds and linens to children of families that have recently secured stable housing, My Very Own Bed helps kids all over the Twin Cities gain access to one of the most important factors in a child’s wellbeing: healthy sleep. In addition to bed frames and mattresses, the organization assembles a “Dream Kit” for each child, which includes a blanket, pillow, stuffed animal and books.

This spring, members of the LEE Branding team were able to spend a morning volunteering with My Very Own Bed, delivering beds and Dream Kits to families and helping them get set up in their homes.

Want to help? My Very Own Bed welcomes volunteers to help with deliveries, bed frame assembly and cleaning, and always welcomes donations in the form of financial support, or Dream Kit items such as sheet sets, blankets and books.

Any savvy businessperson knows the power of a strong employer brand. The way a company presents its values to the world is crucial in attracting top-level talent and establishing a solid reputation as the kind of place people want to work for — and work with.

LEE Branding President and CEO Terri Lee recently lent her expertise on this subject to the latest Medical Alley webinar in a series sponsored by LEE Branding. As a featured member of the panel, Terri spoke of the ways in which employers can bolster their companies’ brands, attracting the attention of qualified candidates who fit the organizations’ overall culture and goals.

“Authenticity — representing what this business is, what it stands for — actually works as a magnet to attract top talent,” says Terri.

Curious about building your own employer brand? You can watch the full webinar here.

As a full-service agency focusing on the medical and healthcare industry, we’re well versed in the creative process: listening to our clients, finding the one thing that sets them apart, and illuminating that in a unique, engaging way.

So it was only a matter of time before we turned the lens on our own brand for a complete website refresh. And the results, if we do say so ourselves, are stunning.

The new LEEbranding.com utilizes our clean design and clear communication style to showcase the work we’ve done for our partners and clients — and also offers a peek behind the curtain at our creative philosophy, industry insights and personal passion projects.

So take a look around — we think you’ll like what you see.

As an independent agency with a focus on the health care industry, LEE Branding has always had a commitment to kidney health awareness.

“I started understanding more about kidney disease and dialysis in 2007 when we began working with a dialysis program as a client,” says Terri Lee, President and CEO of LEE Branding. “I instantly wanted to dive in and help dialysis patients, which grew my passion for helping raise awareness of chronic kidney disease.”

That’s why we’re getting the word out that today, March 9, is World Kidney Day.

World Kidney Day is a global campaign with the goal of raising kidney health awareness, created through a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

Since 2006, World Kidney day has been emphasizing the importance of kidneys to our overall health, and working to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

This year’s theme is “Kidney Health for All — Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable,” and will focus on the impact disastrous events have on people living with kidney disease, whose access to appropriate diagnostic services, treatment and care may be hindered by an emergency.

Visit worldkidneyday.org to find out how you can help promote kidney health awareness.

Last week our team attended another Equity in the Alley event from The Medical Alley Association. We had the honor of hearing Natasha Chen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Healthcare at Ecolab. Natasha spoke about how she took a risk early in her career by moving abroad to Poland, and how that decision shaped her life, both personally and professionally. It was inspiring to hear about her journey and how it’s important to take risks in our own careers. We always love when our team can get together and support an amazing organization!

As I reflect on the last 55 years, I am grateful for the journey and the life I have led with family, friends, and the amazing people I encounter on my daily adventure. We all have a story and reasons we do things.

My brother, Scott Roger Kemp had Duchenne muscular dystrophy and died when he was 13 years old and I was 15. When you have a family member with a chronic disease (and learn of it when you are four years old), it changes your perspective on life. Not necessarily in a bad way, just a different way. My brother was my best friend as a child — sure, I picked on him, but he loved me and cared for me as I did for him. He was the popular one in our family, and I was known as “Scott’s sister” — he never used his disease to gain pity; instead, he inspired sports figures, teachers, family, friends, pastors, and doctors with his resilience, love of life, and devotion to God. I persevere because Scott inspired me to do so.

This origin story led directly to LEE Branding, and it explains my commitment to the healthcare industry and my passion for the field of chronic disease. It is how I cope with the loss of my brother and do something positive in this world.

My job is to help the entire team at LEE Branding fall in love with helping people and feel compelled to make a difference in patients’ lives every day. I know you all have a journey and a story that explains your purpose. I am glad you have joined me and our team to make a difference. I am very grateful for each of you and cherish our work and personal relationships.

Thank you for helping me on this positive journey in life — I don’t know what I would do without you all.

— Terri

At last week’s Medical Alley Association luncheon, I was honored to introduce Dr. Nisha Botchwey, Professor and Dean for the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. A week before her keynote address, I was able to connect with Dean Botchwey, and it was an honor getting to know her on a deeper level. She told me about her Jamaican heritage, and the fact that she learned to scuba dive before she learned to swim. She also shared her ideals, formed by observing marine and human ecosystems, and her goals for influencing each in incredible ways. Nisha began her speech by pulling us in to experience the fear and exhilaration of swimming in open water. In the audience, we sat rapt with attention as she made the unexpected but necessary adjustments to meet her goal of swimming 2,000 yards. She used this as a metaphor for life, viewing each adjustment as an opportunity to learn.

Dean Botchwey has an amazing background serving as Associate Dean for Academic Programs at Georgia Tech Professional Education. She also taught at the University of Virginia’s Department of Urban and Environmental Planning, and co-authored the book “Health Impact Assessment in the United States.” Dean Botchwey’s impact on public health and social justice work was recognized in 2021 with the prestigious Dale Prize for Excellence in Urban and Regional Planning, and in 2016 by the White House Council on Women and Girls. Her educational background is equally strong, with an AB in Environmental Science and Public Policy (Harvard University), Master of City and Regional Planning (University of Pennsylvania), PhD in City and Regional Planning (University of Pennsylvania) and Master of Public Health (University of Virginia). Beyond this impressive background lives a true leader who values her family and her role advancing public policy as Dean at the Humphrey School, working with her students to drive positive change.

From a very early age, Dean Botchwey understood the impact one person could make on the world. I was honored not only to get to know Dean Nisha Botchwey better, but to form a friendship that has already affected my life in an amazing way. Thank you to Medical Alley for hosting Equity in the Alley. We are happy to support and sponsor impactful events that make a difference in all of our lives.

And thank you to Dean Botchwey for encouraging each of us to make a difference in this world.

Watch Dr. Botchwey’s talk: https://lnkd.in/gaGEYhBj

— Terri

As we move into fall, I wanted to talk a bit more about My Very Own Bed the Northeast Minneapolis non-profit we support (I am also on the Board of Directors). My Very Own Bed’s mission is to provide new beds and linens to children of families who have recently secured stable housing (primarily in Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding suburbs). CEO Michael Allen started with a vision that all children should have a bed where they can sleep well, dream, and find comfort in a place of their own. Michael saw a great need while working in social services and helping families move out of shelters and into homes. What struck him was seeing so many children with poor sleeping conditions because basic furnishings like a child’s bed and bedding was beyond reach financially for these families.

Michael felt we should be doing more for our communities and founded My Very Own Bed in 2014, providing a new bed and Dream Kit (sheets, blanket, pillow, mattress pad, stuffed animal, and book) to each child who might otherwise go without. The impact is immediate; improving where and how children sleep improves their overall health and wellbeing, promoting healthy sleep that can, in turn, improve all areas of their lives. With support from a strong network of volunteers, donors, and referral partners, the team can get new beds and Dream Kits to children who need them. As funding and awareness grow, the ability to impact even more kids’ lives grows as well.

Congratulations to My Very Own Bed for providing their 5000th bed this past weekend!

— Terri

“Balance is good!”

As I stepped out on the edge of Bright Angel Point Trail with the springs 3,000 feet below, this thought entered my mind. I felt like I was at the edge of the world, looking over the Grand Canyon on the North Rim — it literally took my breath away!

Balance in life is important, and nothing gets you closer to your family than a cross-country road trip to Colorado, Utah, and Arizona visiting our beautiful national parks!

We all need time to get away, reflect, and recharge. It has taken me many years to understand this personally.

Research shows that instead of hindering performance, vacations actually increase productivity. Humans are simply more productive when rested. According to Forbes, researcher Mark Rosekind found that the positive effects of a vacation can increase performance by 80%.

It is important that we all take a break and enjoy our vacations and time away. This helps us recharge, keeping us focused in the long run. So let’s hear it for PTO!

— Terri

I recently spent a week in the Chicago area and I had the opportunity to walk by the world-famous Hamburger University in the West Loop. Yes, you read that right. McDonald’s started the university in 1961.

Think about it … an organization that dedicates an entire “university” education program to inspiring leaders of their brand and company. This makes them excellent business owners and more profitable in the long run. Amazing to see a large brand take ownership in its employees and leadership development. This is a true inspiration to me, as I stood outside the lobby anticipating what the classrooms looked like.

HU doesn’t stop at employee education, either. You can also order menu items from around the world at kiosks that are open to the public — spicy taco fries from Switzerland and matcha tea shakes from Japan, to name a few!

I admired the fries-inspired logo and badge as I stood outside the location to grab a few photos. I just love the concept and dedication to employee growth. Great work, McDonald’s — and a few great takeaways for me!

— Terri