As the marketing brain behind Mercedes in the U.S., Melody Lee is pushing to get in front of an entirely different audience.
By Kristen Lee at MotorTrend | May 5, 2025 | Article excerpt below
“Building cars is an old business, and right behind that is the business of selling them. Melody Lee doesn’t sell cars, per se. Because as Mercedes-Benz North America’s straight-talking chief marketing officer, tasked with changing intangibles like brand perception and awareness, she’s pushing for the more abstract….
To give back to the community, Melody Lee has been on the board of Apex for Youth for the past four years, which is a New York–based nonprofit that empowers Asian American youth from immigrant and low-income backgrounds.
‘It’s about offering generational change for the Asian community,’ Lee said. ‘Helping children is core and fundamental to what Apex for Youth does, but for me, there’s a much loftier goal: If we can unlock their potential, help them see their way through a mental health crisis, or get them mentorship, it can really create a more equitable future. If you can change the trajectory of an Asian child’s life, it will shift the generation going forward.’”
Read more coverage on MotorTrend.
What an unforgettable evening of generosity and celebration last week at our 33rd Inspiration Awards Gala at Cipriani South Street! The celebration raised an impressive $3.1 million for Asian American youth from low-income backgrounds.
March at Apex for Youth was filled with learning, mentorship, and community engagement! From career exploration to game design and family nights, see how we empowered Asian American youth this month.
