Cindy Lee
Cindy Lee, a member of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association’s Board of Directors, was appointed to the City of Scottsdale’s Historic Preservation Commission in December 2015.
Cindy Lee holds a B.A. degree in History from Yale University. She conducted research for The Campaign for Yale fundraising before moving to New York to start a career in TV commercial film production at several multinational advertising agencies. Cindy later formed a small production company with her husband, a TV commercial film director. Together they traveled and filmed TV commercials in the U.S., Australia, Europe and Asia.
Cindy and her husband moved to North Scottsdale in 2009. By then, Cindy had incorporated volunteering her time as a trained Medicare counselor for the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP), first in New York then in Arizona. The national network SHIP program provides free education and advocacy for Medicare seniors, their families and caregivers. In 2015, funded through a federal grant awarded to AZ SHIP and the AZ Department of Economic Security, Cindy and her husband wrote, filmed and produced a 20-minute SHIP training video with Cindy presenting on-camera. This educational video will be accessible nationally on the teaching and training SHIP TA Center website for the Administration for Community Living (ACL).
Cindy is no stranger to outreach and advocacy for people and concerns. In 2014, the AZ State Land Department (ASLD) proposed to rezone for commercial development 40 acres of open, natural Sonoran desert in the historic, landmark Desert Foothills Scenic Drive in N. Scottsdale. Working with the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association/Friends of the Scenic Drive, Cindy and her husband filmed and produced three videos to oppose the State’s proposal. With links to GPPA’s online magazine and social media outlets, these films were viewed over 1,100 times in a matter of months. Raising public awareness, community involvement and the help of influential citizens changed the conversation and ultimately led the ASLD to propose a rezoning solution that was better for the State and saved the Scenic Drive.
Cindy believes the key to preservation—whether it’s landmark buildings or the environment or a Medicare beneficiary’s best options—is to educate, raise awareness and get people involved BEFORE it’s too late. In Cindy’s view, doing the research and knowing the important facts, then conveying them compellingly and reaching the public effectively can optimize the outcome. She cited the example of the David and Gladys Wright House in Phoenix that was saved last-minute from demolition. Public awareness was low, and an important Frank Lloyd Wright architectural home and landmark was nearly lost. Getting the word out early and widely can sometimes make all the difference. Cindy looks forward to serving and doing her part to help preserve Scottsdale’s unique history and heritage.
January 1, 2016
I would like to personally thank Cindy for the work she has done to help preserve
the State land located in the two postage stamp areas of North Scottsdale. I was
extremely impressed with the videos she and her husband produced documenting the
overly large amount of commercial development in this area.
I had the pleasure of personally speaking to Cindy at the December 1 City Council meeting
which approved the first commercial zoning bordering a rural zoned area in Scottsdale,
i.e. The Outpost. She is a tremendous asset to the efforts of North Scottsdale citizens to preserve and honor our precious Sonoran desert.
and honor the Sonoran Desert.