Buckley Country Day Schoolbrought together families, alumni and supporters for its annual Spring Soirée, honoring outgoing Board Chair Christopher Lee for his years of leadership and service to the school community on Saturday, April 25.

Attendees gathered at Harbor Links Golf Course for the event, which featured a cocktail reception and dinner celebrating Lee’s seven-year tenure as board chair, the longest in nearly a century at the independent school.

The evening highlighted Buckley’s close-knit culture, with trustees, parents, faculty, staff and alumni mingling across grade levels. Festive décor reflected the school’s Red and Blue team traditions, including a nod to the Lee family’s connection to the Blue team.

Lee, a Manhasset resident, joined the board in 2017 and became chair in 2019. His tenure coincided with a period of growth and stability for the school, including strengthened enrollment and continued development of its endowment.

Head of School Jean-Marc Juhel praised Lee’s leadership, describing him as a steady and selfless presence who helped steer the school through both opportunities and challenges.

“Chris has guided this school forward in ways that will shape Buckley for generations to come,” Juhel said. “He has given his time and leadership with remarkable humility and unwavering commitment.”

Juhel noted that Lee’s background in finance proved especially valuable, particularly in strengthening the school’s long-term financial planning. At the same time, he said, Lee’s interpersonal skills helped him lead a diverse board of trustees effectively.

“He has the patience, diplomacy and emotional intelligence to bring people together,” Juhel said. “He works behind the scenes and doesn’t seek the spotlight, but he is incredibly effective.”

During his tenure, Lee helped oversee the school’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that required rapid adaptation to remote learning and operational changes. He said the experience underscored the board’s responsibility to ensure the school’s long-term sustainability.

“The most important thing is to ensure the financial well-being and longevity of the school, and to make sure that the mission is being executed,” Lee said.

Source: LI Press