Jieho Lee is co-founder of Knighted, the nation’s leading third-party business and financial services provider within the gaming industry. As CEO for over a decade, Lee steered the company through a period of extraordinary growth and innovation, expanding to over 2,000 employees and achieving an annual run rate surpassing $400 million: culminating in a successful exit in 2023. Lee’s strategic acumen and commitment to excellence fostered a dynamic organizational culture marked by innovation, alignment, and authentic leadership. His transformative approach not only redefined industry standards but also forged strong partnerships with local municipalities, creating sustainable ecosystems characterized by robust community engagement and impactful philanthropy.
Lee’s innovative approach to business has its roots in the Arts and the creative realm, where he successfully launched his career creating content for global brands such as Ralph Lauren and Victoria’s Secret. Lee wrote and directed the first South Korean film to showcase in the competitive category at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival; and wrote and directed the feature film “The Air I Breathe” (starring Forest Whitaker, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Brendan Fraser). Lee also trained as a classical pianist and worked as a classical music recording and events producer with names such as Yo-Yo Ma, the late Isaac Stern, and Sarah Chang. He produced a chart-topping classical aria album, “Sumi Jo: Live at Carnegie Hall”, which received the South Korean Presidential Award for Cultural Excellence by President Kim Young-Sam.
Before Knighted, Lee was head of International Business Development at the Wonderful Company, where he oversaw marketing for the Asia-Pacific Territories. Lee also served as a Partner at Blue Horizon Capital, where he co-led an investment strategy team focusing on acquisitions in the business information sector. Currently he serves as strategic advisor to Showroom Interiors, a distinguished portfolio company of L. Catterton (LVMH/Catterton), renowned for its expertise in curating high-end furniture staging and sales within the luxury interior design sector.
Lee received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is passionate about the Arts, and he is also a member of YPO LA Gold, and the YPO LA Asian Cross Chapter. Lee serves as an advisory member at Dignity Moves, a nonprofit enabling rapid interim housing for the unhoused communities and also sits on the board of Children in Harmony. Lee also founded Knighted Neighbors: the community impact division of Knighted Ventures that has now grown into a nationwide organization with over 20,000 volunteer hours and over $2mm raised for the underprivileged communities.
Lee is a 2018 Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
