Kewsong Lee: Difference between revisions

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| image = Kewsong Lee (cropped).jpg
| image = Kewsong Lee (cropped).jpg
| caption = Kewsong Lee
| caption = Kewsong Lee
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|08|12}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|8|12}}
| birth_place = [[Albany, New York]], U.S.
| birth_place = Albany, New York, U.S.
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| education = [[Harvard University]] (AB, MBA)
| education = [[Harvard University]] (AB 1986, MBA 1990)
| occupation = Businessman, investor
| occupation = Businessman, investor
| title = Founder and CEO, BellTower Partners
| title = Founder and CEO, BellTower Partners
| known_for = Former CEO of [[The Carlyle Group]]; Vice Chair of the [[United Soccer League]]
| known_for = Former CEO of [[The Carlyle Group]]; Vice Chair of [[United Soccer League]]
}}
}}


'''Kewsong Lee''' (born August 12, 1965) is an American businessman, investor, and the founder and chief executive officer of BellTower Partners, a private investment firm he established in 2023. He is best known for his tenure as chief executive officer of [[The Carlyle Group]], one of the world's largest private equity firms, a position he held from 2018 to 2022. Lee began his career in private equity at [[Warburg Pincus]] in 1992 and spent more than two decades there before joining Carlyle in 2013. Born in [[Albany, New York]], and educated at [[Harvard University]], Lee has built a career spanning more than three decades in global finance, overseeing billions of dollars in investments across multiple asset classes. In September 2025, BellTower Partners made a strategic growth investment in the [[United Soccer League]] (USL), and Lee was named vice chair of the organization's board. Beyond finance, Lee has been active in the arts and nonprofit sectors, serving as chair of the board of directors of [[Lincoln Center Theater]], where the artistic director position was named in his honor in 2025. He also serves on the board of trustees of the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] (CSIS).<ref name="csis">{{cite web |title=Kewsong Lee Joins CSIS Board of Trustees |url=https://www.csis.org/news/kewsong-lee-joins-csis-board-trustees |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Kewsong Lee''' (born August 12, 1965) is an American businessman, investor, and the founder and chief executive officer of BellTower Partners, a private investment firm established in 2023. He is best known for his tenure as chief executive officer of [[The Carlyle Group]], one of the world's largest private equity firms, where he served first as co-CEO from 2018 to 2020 alongside [[Glenn Youngkin]], and then as sole CEO from 2020 until his departure in 2022. Lee's career in private equity spans more than three decades, beginning at [[Warburg Pincus]] in 1992, where he spent over two decades before joining Carlyle in 2013. At Carlyle, he oversaw significant structural changes to the firm, including its conversion from a partnership to a corporation. In September 2025, BellTower Partners made a strategic growth investment in the [[United Soccer League]] (USL), and Lee was named vice chair of the organization's board of directors. Lee is also active in cultural philanthropy, serving as chair of the board of directors of [[Lincoln Center Theater]], where the artistic director position has been named in his honor.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-07-01 |title=Lear deBessonet's position at Lincoln Center Theater newly named for donor and board chair Kewsong Lee |url=https://www.broadwaynews.com/lear-debessonets-position-at-lincoln-center-theater-newly-named-for-donor-and-board-chair-kewsong-lee/ |work=Broadway News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> An Albany, New York, native and Harvard University graduate, Lee has built a career at the intersection of finance, governance, and institutional leadership.


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Kewsong Lee was born on August 12, 1965, in Albany, New York.<ref name="timesunion">{{cite news |last=Churchill |first=Chris |date=September 27, 2025 |title=Churchill: He's a major player in the plan to bring soccer to Albany |url=https://www.timesunion.com/churchill/article/kewsong-lee-major-player-plan-bring-soccer-albany-21069038.php |work=Times Union |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He is of Korean descent.<ref name="koreatimes">{{cite news |date=2021 |title=Kewsong Lee profile |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2021/11/175_293606.html |work=The Korea Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Lee grew up in the Albany area and has maintained ties to his hometown throughout his career. In 2025, his connection to Albany became a focus of public attention when he emerged as a central figure behind a proposal to bring a professional soccer stadium to downtown Albany, a project linked to his investment in the United Soccer League.<ref name="timesunion" />
Kewsong Lee was born on August 12, 1965, in Albany, New York.<ref name="timesunion">{{cite news |last=Churchill |date=2025-09-27 |title=Churchill: He's a major player in the plan to bring soccer to Albany |url=https://www.timesunion.com/churchill/article/kewsong-lee-major-player-plan-bring-soccer-albany-21069038.php |work=Times Union |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He is of Korean descent.<ref>{{cite news |date=2021-11-01 |title=Kewsong Lee profile |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2021/11/175_293606.html |work=The Korea Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Lee grew up in the Albany area and attended [[Choate Rosemary Hall]], a private preparatory school in Wallingford, Connecticut.<ref name="choate">{{cite web |title=Choate Rosemary Hall Bulletin, Spring 2018 |url=https://issuu.com/choaterosemaryhall/docs/sp18_bulletin |publisher=Choate Rosemary Hall |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Lee attended [[Choate Rosemary Hall]], a private preparatory school in Wallingford, Connecticut.<ref name="choate">{{cite web |title=Choate Rosemary Hall Bulletin, Spring 2018 |url=https://issuu.com/choaterosemaryhall/docs/sp18_bulletin |publisher=Choate Rosemary Hall |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His time at Choate helped prepare him for admission to Harvard University, where he would pursue both his undergraduate and graduate studies.
Lee has maintained connections to his hometown of Albany throughout his career. In 2025, he became a central figure in a proposal to bring a professional soccer stadium and team to downtown Albany through his involvement with the United Soccer League, a development that drew attention to his roots in the capital region of New York State.<ref name="timesunion" />


== Education ==
== Education ==


Lee enrolled at [[Harvard University]], where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986.<ref name="choate" /> He subsequently returned to Harvard to attend [[Harvard Business School]], where he earned his [[Master of Business Administration]] degree in 1990.<ref name="choate" /> Lee has remained connected to Harvard as an alumnus. In 2016, the dining hall at [[Lowell House]], one of Harvard's residential houses, was renamed in recognition of a significant donation associated with Lee.<ref name="crimson">{{cite news |date=November 17, 2016 |title=Lowell Dining Hall Rename |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/11/17/lowell-dining-hall-rename/ |work=The Harvard Crimson |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Lee attended [[Harvard University]], where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986.<ref name="crimson">{{cite news |date=2016-11-17 |title=Lowell Dining Hall Rename |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/11/17/lowell-dining-hall-rename/ |work=The Harvard Crimson |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He later returned to Harvard to attend [[Harvard Business School]], where he received his [[Master of Business Administration]] degree in 1990.<ref name="carlyleprofile">{{cite web |title=Kewsong Lee – About Carlyle |url=https://www.carlyle.com/about-carlyle/team/kewsong-lee |publisher=The Carlyle Group |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Lee has remained involved with Harvard University as an alumnus. In 2016, a dining hall renovation at [[Lowell House]], one of Harvard's residential houses, drew attention in part due to donations from prominent alumni including Lee.<ref name="crimson" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Warburg Pincus (1992–2013) ===
=== Warburg Pincus (1992–2013) ===


After completing his MBA at Harvard Business School in 1990, Lee entered the private equity industry. He joined [[Warburg Pincus]], one of the oldest and most established private equity firms in the United States, in 1992.<ref name="buyouts">{{cite news |title=Warburg Pincus's Kewsong Lee Sticks It Out in Private Equity |url=https://www.buyoutsinsider.com/warburg-pincuss-kewsong-lee-sticks-it-out-in-private-equity/ |work=Buyouts Insider |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Lee spent more than two decades at Warburg Pincus, rising through the ranks of the firm. During his tenure, he gained extensive experience in deal-making and portfolio management across a range of sectors and geographies. His long career at a single firm was notable in an industry where professionals frequently move between organizations. By the time of his departure in 2013, Lee had established a reputation as a skilled dealmaker within the private equity community.<ref name="buyouts" /><ref name="wsj2013">{{cite news |title=Carlyle Hires Warburg Pincus Executive |url=https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304391204579178241744426188.html |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Lee began his career in private equity at [[Warburg Pincus]], one of the oldest and most established private equity firms in the United States, in 1992.<ref name="buyouts">{{cite news |title=Warburg Pincus's Kewsong Lee Sticks It Out in Private Equity |url=https://www.buyoutsinsider.com/warburg-pincuss-kewsong-lee-sticks-it-out-in-private-equity/ |work=Buyouts Insider |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Over the course of more than two decades at the firm, Lee built a reputation as a deal-oriented investor with expertise across multiple sectors. His long tenure at Warburg Pincus provided him with deep experience in leveraged buyouts, growth equity, and corporate restructuring.
 
Lee's departure from Warburg Pincus in 2013 attracted attention in the private equity industry, as he was considered a senior figure at the firm. His move to The Carlyle Group was reported by major financial publications as a significant hire for Carlyle.<ref name="reuters2013">{{cite news |date=2013-11-04 |title=Carlyle hires Warburg Pincus veteran Lee |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-carlyle-cio-idUSBRE9A30I120131104 |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="wsj2013">{{cite news |date=2013 |title=Carlyle Hires Warburg Pincus Executive |url=https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304391204579178241744426188.html |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== The Carlyle Group (2013–2022) ===
=== The Carlyle Group (2013–2022) ===


==== Joining Carlyle ====
==== Joining Carlyle and Rise to Leadership ====


In November 2013, [[The Carlyle Group]] announced the hiring of Lee to lead its corporate private equity operations. The move was reported by [[Reuters]] and ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' as a significant appointment for the firm, which was seeking to strengthen its investment capabilities and prepare for a leadership transition.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |date=November 4, 2013 |title=Carlyle Hires Warburg Pincus Executive as CIO |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-carlyle-cio-idUSBRE9A30I120131104 |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="wsj2013" /> Lee's arrival at Carlyle brought more than two decades of private equity experience from Warburg Pincus, and he was tasked with overseeing the firm's largest and most important business segment.
In November 2013, Lee joined [[The Carlyle Group]] as its deputy chief investment officer for corporate private equity, a newly created role.<ref name="reuters2013" /><ref name="wsj2013" /> The hire was seen as part of Carlyle's effort to bring in experienced outside talent to complement its existing leadership and strengthen its investment capabilities. Lee was brought in to work closely with the firm's founders, including [[David Rubenstein]] and [[William E. Conway Jr.]], on the firm's private equity strategy.


At Carlyle, Lee quickly took on a central role in the firm's investment operations. He was involved in key strategic decisions and worked to expand the firm's deal pipeline across global markets. His expertise in managing complex transactions and his track record at Warburg Pincus made him a natural candidate for an expanded leadership role at Carlyle.<ref name="wsj2017">{{cite news |date=October 27, 2017 |title=Carlyle's Next Generation: A Deal Whiz and a Homegrown Quarterback |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyles-next-generation-a-deal-whiz-and-a-homegrown-quarterback-1509123465 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Lee quickly rose within Carlyle's leadership structure. By 2017, he was identified as one of two executives being groomed to take over the top leadership of the firm from its founding generation. In October 2017, Carlyle announced that Lee and Glenn Youngkin would become the firm's co-chief executive officers, succeeding co-founders Rubenstein and Conway.<ref name="wsj2017">{{cite news |date=2017-10-27 |title=Carlyle's Next Generation: A Deal Whiz and a Homegrown Quarterback |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyles-next-generation-a-deal-whiz-and-a-homegrown-quarterback-1509123465 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="afr2017">{{cite news |date=2017-10-26 |title=Private equity Carlyle Group names Kewsong Lee, Glenn Youngkin as new leaders |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/private-equity-carlyle-group-names-kewsong-lee-glenn-youngkin-as-new-leaders-20171026-gz8d7s |work=Australian Financial Review |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="ft2017">{{cite news |date=2017 |title=Carlyle names Lee and Youngkin as co-CEOs |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e694b798-b969-11e7-9bfb-4a9c83ffa852 |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In 2016, Lee was involved in expanding Carlyle's debt investing operations, as the firm hired a pension fund executive to head its credit business, a move that reflected the firm's strategy under Lee's influence to diversify beyond traditional buyout funds.<ref name="wsjdebt">{{cite news |date=September 12, 2016 |title=Carlyle Taps Pension Fund Executive to Head Debt Investing |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-taps-pension-fund-executive-to-head-debt-investing-1473689829?mod=article_inline |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The ''Wall Street Journal'' described Lee as the "deal whiz" of the duo, noting his extensive track record in investment origination and execution, while Youngkin was characterized as the "homegrown quarterback" who had risen through Carlyle's ranks over many years.<ref name="wsj2017" /> The appointment marked a generational transition at one of the world's largest alternative asset management firms, as the founders stepped back from day-to-day management.


==== Co-CEO Appointment ====
==== Co-CEO Tenure with Glenn Youngkin ====


In October 2017, The Carlyle Group announced that Lee and [[Glenn Youngkin]] would become co-chief executive officers, succeeding the firm's co-founders [[David Rubenstein]] and [[William E. Conway Jr.|Bill Conway]].<ref name="wsj2017" /><ref name="afr">{{cite news |date=October 26, 2017 |title=Private equity Carlyle Group names Kewsong Lee, Glenn Youngkin as new leaders |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/private-equity-carlyle-group-names-kewsong-lee-glenn-youngkin-as-new-leaders-20171026-gz8d7s |work=Australian Financial Review |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The transition represented a generational shift at one of the world's largest alternative asset management firms. ''The Wall Street Journal'' characterized Lee as "a deal whiz" and Youngkin as "a homegrown quarterback," reflecting their complementary skill sets.<ref name="wsj2017" /> The ''[[Financial Times]]'' also covered the appointment as a major event in the private equity industry.<ref name="ft2017">{{cite news |date=2017 |title=Carlyle Group leadership transition |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e694b798-b969-11e7-9bfb-4a9c83ffa852 |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Lee and Youngkin formally assumed the co-CEO roles in January 2018.<ref name="bloomberg2018">{{cite news |title=Carlyle Group Glenn Youngkin Kewsong Lee Interview |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2018-carlyle-group-glenn-youngkin-kewsong-lee-interview/ |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The co-CEO arrangement was designed to leverage the complementary strengths of the two executives. Lee focused primarily on investment strategy, portfolio management, and the firm's corporate private equity business, while Youngkin managed fundraising, investor relations, and certain operational matters.


The appointment formally took effect in January 2018. Lee and Youngkin divided responsibilities, with Lee focusing on the firm's investment activities and strategy while Youngkin handled operations and firm culture.<ref name="bloomberg2018">{{cite news |date=2018 |title=Carlyle Group Glenn Youngkin Kewsong Lee Interview |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2018-carlyle-group-glenn-youngkin-kewsong-lee-interview/ |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The co-CEO arrangement was common among large alternative asset firms and was intended to provide continuity while the founders stepped back from day-to-day management.
During the co-CEO period, the firm undertook a major structural change. In 2019, Carlyle announced that it would abandon its partnership structure and convert to a corporation, also eliminating its dual-class share structure.<ref name="wsjcorp2019">{{cite news |date=2019 |title=Carlyle to Abandon Partnership Structure and Dual-Class Shares |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-to-abandon-partnership-structure-and-dual-class-shares-11564569000 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This conversion was a significant governance change that brought Carlyle in line with a broader industry trend among publicly traded alternative asset managers, including competitors such as [[KKR]] and [[Apollo Global Management]], which had made or were making similar transitions. The move was intended to simplify the firm's corporate structure, broaden its investor base, and improve its standing with index fund managers.


==== Corporate Structure Changes ====
==== Sole CEO ====


Under the leadership of Lee and Youngkin, Carlyle undertook a significant corporate restructuring. In 2019, the firm announced it would abandon its partnership structure and eliminate its dual-class share structure, converting to a corporation. This was a major move in the alternative asset management industry, as several large firms had historically maintained partnership structures that gave founders and insiders greater control. ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported on the decision as part of a broader trend among publicly traded private equity firms seeking to attract a wider base of institutional investors by simplifying their corporate governance.<ref name="wsjcorp">{{cite news |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Carlyle to Abandon Partnership Structure and Dual-Class Shares |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-to-abandon-partnership-structure-and-dual-class-shares-11564569000 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In September 2020, Glenn Youngkin announced his departure from The Carlyle Group to pursue other interests, which subsequently included a successful campaign for [[Governor of Virginia]] in 2021. With Youngkin's departure, Lee became the sole chief executive officer of Carlyle.<ref name="ftyoungkin">{{cite news |title=Carlyle co-CEO Glenn Youngkin to step down |url=https://www.ft.com/content/53e11816-18a6-4cfa-9d9e-51408672f417 |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


==== Sole CEO ====
As sole CEO, Lee worked to position Carlyle for growth in an increasingly competitive alternative asset management landscape. In a 2021 interview with ''The Wall Street Journal'', Lee outlined his vision for the firm's rebound and future direction, focusing on expanding Carlyle's credit and insurance-linked investment businesses and leveraging the firm's global platform.<ref name="wsjrebound">{{cite news |date=2021-04-25 |title=Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee Plots Rebound for Private-Equity Pioneer |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-ceo-kewsong-lee-plots-rebound-for-private-equity-pioneer-11619352001 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Lee also oversaw efforts to expand Carlyle's capabilities in debt and credit investing, including the recruitment of senior talent to lead the firm's credit platform.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-09-12 |title=Carlyle Taps Pension-Fund Executive to Head Debt Investing |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-taps-pension-fund-executive-to-head-debt-investing-1473689829?mod=article_inline |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In September 2020, Glenn Youngkin departed The Carlyle Group to pursue other interests, which would ultimately include a successful campaign for [[Governor of Virginia]].<ref name="ftyoungkin">{{cite news |title=Glenn Youngkin departs Carlyle |url=https://www.ft.com/content/53e11816-18a6-4cfa-9d9e-51408672f417 |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> With Youngkin's departure, Lee became the sole chief executive officer of the firm. As sole CEO, Lee oversaw Carlyle during a period of significant market volatility driven by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and its economic aftermath.
During Lee's tenure as sole CEO, Carlyle faced competitive pressures from larger rivals such as [[Blackstone Inc.|Blackstone]] and Apollo, which had grown their assets under management more rapidly. The firm navigated the economic disruptions caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] while seeking to diversify its revenue streams beyond traditional leveraged buyouts.


In April 2021, ''The Wall Street Journal'' profiled Lee's efforts to chart a rebound for Carlyle, describing his plans to strengthen the firm's competitive position and expand its assets under management. Lee articulated a vision for growing the firm's credit and insurance solutions businesses alongside its traditional buyout operations.<ref name="wsjrebound">{{cite news |date=April 25, 2021 |title=Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee Plots Rebound for Private-Equity Pioneer |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-ceo-kewsong-lee-plots-rebound-for-private-equity-pioneer-11619352001 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
==== Departure from Carlyle ====


==== Departure ====
In August 2022, Carlyle announced that Lee would depart the firm. The circumstances of his departure were reported by the ''Financial Times'' and other outlets, with reporting indicating disagreements between Lee and the firm's board of directors, including its founders, over compensation and the strategic direction of the firm.<ref name="ftdepart1">{{cite news |title=Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee departs |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4737c65e-8994-4306-ad9c-f5597610571e |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="ftdepart2">{{cite news |title=Inside Kewsong Lee's departure from Carlyle |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b069b69f-6413-4f29-a9ff-288ac2eb690d |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In 2022, Lee departed The Carlyle Group. The ''Financial Times'' reported on the circumstances of his exit, which came amid discussions about the firm's strategic direction and Lee's compensation and contract renewal.<ref name="ftdepart1">{{cite news |title=Kewsong Lee departs Carlyle |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4737c65e-8994-4306-ad9c-f5597610571e |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="ftdepart2">{{cite news |title=Carlyle leadership change |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b069b69f-6413-4f29-a9ff-288ac2eb690d |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His departure marked the end of a nine-year tenure at the firm, during which he rose from a senior investment executive to the firm's top leadership position.
Lee's departure marked the end of a nearly decade-long tenure at Carlyle and prompted a leadership search that ultimately resulted in the appointment of Harvey Schwartz, a former president of [[Goldman Sachs]], as his successor.


=== BellTower Partners (2023–present) ===
=== BellTower Partners (2023–present) ===


In 2023, Lee founded BellTower Partners, a private investment firm.<ref name="usl">{{cite web |title=BellTower Partners Makes Strategic Growth Investment in United Soccer League; Founder and CEO Kewsong Lee Named Vice Chair |url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1346598 |publisher=United Soccer League |date=September 23, 2025 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The firm focuses on strategic investments across multiple sectors. Lee serves as the firm's founder and CEO.
Following his departure from Carlyle, Lee founded BellTower Partners in 2023, a private investment firm through which he pursues investment opportunities across multiple sectors.<ref name="usl">{{cite web |title=BellTower Partners Makes Strategic Growth Investment in United Soccer League; Founder and CEO Kewsong Lee Named Vice Chair |url=https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1346598 |publisher=United Soccer League |date=2025-09-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In September 2025, BellTower Partners made a strategic growth investment in the [[United Soccer League]] (USL), the largest professional soccer organization in the United States by number of clubs. As part of the investment, Lee was named vice chair of the USL's board of directors.<ref name="usl" /><ref name="peinsights">{{cite news |date=September 23, 2025 |title=Ex-Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee invests in USL, joins board as vice-chair |url=https://pe-insights.com/ex-carlyle-ceo-kewsong-lee-invests-in-usl-joins-board-as-vice-chair/ |work=Private Equity Insights |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Bloomberg reported on the deal, noting that the investment came as the USL was planning to launch a Division One professional league.<ref name="bloomberg2025">{{cite news |date=September 23, 2025 |title=United Soccer League Gets Investment From Ex-Carlyle CEO Lee |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-23/united-soccer-league-gets-investment-from-ex-carlyle-ceo-lee |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> SportsPro described the transaction as the sale of a minority stake and noted the USL's plans to expand to Division One status.<ref name="sportspro">{{cite news |date=September 24, 2025 |title=USL sells minority stake as ex-Carlyle CEO joins board |url=https://www.sportspro.com/news/usl-minority-stake-belltower-partners-kewsong-lee-investment-september-2025/ |work=SportsPro |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In September 2025, BellTower Partners made a strategic growth investment in the [[United Soccer League]] (USL), the largest professional soccer organization in the United States by number of clubs. As part of the transaction, Lee was named vice chair of the USL's board of directors.<ref name="usl" /><ref name="bloomberg2025">{{cite news |date=2025-09-23 |title=United Soccer League Gets Investment From Ex-Carlyle CEO Lee |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-23/united-soccer-league-gets-investment-from-ex-carlyle-ceo-lee |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="peinsights">{{cite news |date=2025-09-23 |title=Ex-Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee invests in USL, joins board as vice-chair |url=https://pe-insights.com/ex-carlyle-ceo-kewsong-lee-invests-in-usl-joins-board-as-vice-chair/ |work=Private Equity Insights |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The investment came at a time when the USL was planning to launch a Division One professional league and expand its footprint across the United States.<ref name="sportspro">{{cite news |date=2025-09-24 |title=USL sells minority stake as ex-Carlyle CEO joins board |url=https://www.sportspro.com/news/usl-minority-stake-belltower-partners-kewsong-lee-investment-september-2025/ |work=SportsPro |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


The investment also connected to Lee's hometown of Albany, New York. ''The Business Journals'' and the ''Times Union'' reported that Lee was backing a proposal for a professional soccer stadium in downtown Albany, a project linked to his involvement with the USL.<ref name="bizjournals">{{cite news |date=September 24, 2025 |title=Albany stadium backer invests in United Soccer League |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2025/09/24/albany-stadium-backer-invests-in-soccer-league.html |work=The Business Journals |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="timesunion" /> The ''Times Union'' described Lee as "a major player in the plan to bring soccer to Albany," noting his status as an Albany native and former CEO of The Carlyle Group.<ref name="timesunion" />
Lee's investment in the USL was also connected to efforts to bring a professional soccer team and stadium to his hometown of Albany, New York. The ''Times Union'' reported that Lee was a central figure in a proposal for a downtown Albany USL stadium, linking his investment in the league to his roots in the capital region.<ref name="timesunion" /><ref name="bizjournals">{{cite news |date=2025-09-24 |title=Albany stadium backer invests in United Soccer League |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2025/09/24/albany-stadium-backer-invests-in-soccer-league.html |work=The Business Journals |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Lee was born and raised in Albany, New York, and has maintained connections to the area throughout his career.<ref name="timesunion" /> He is of Korean heritage.<ref name="koreatimes" />
Lee maintains ties to his hometown of Albany, New York, and has been involved in civic and philanthropic efforts in the region, including the proposal to bring a professional soccer stadium to downtown Albany.<ref name="timesunion" />
 
Lee is active in the arts and cultural philanthropy. He serves as the chair of the board of directors of [[Lincoln Center Theater]] in New York City. In July 2025, Lincoln Center Theater announced that the artistic director position, held by Lear deBessonet, would be renamed the "Kewsong Lee Artistic Director" in recognition of Lee's contributions as a donor and board chair.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-07-01 |title=Lear deBessonet's position at Lincoln Center Theater newly named for donor and board chair Kewsong Lee |url=https://www.broadwaynews.com/lear-debessonets-position-at-lincoln-center-theater-newly-named-for-donor-and-board-chair-kewsong-lee/ |work=Broadway News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Administrator to the Kewsong Lee Artistic Director, at Lincoln Center Theater |url=https://playbill.com/job/administrator-to-the-kewsong-lee-artistic-director-at-lincoln-center-theater/52baa367-8ca7-4640-a38f-b3df4dfad44e |publisher=Playbill |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Lee also serves on the board of trustees of the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] (CSIS), a bipartisan policy research organization based in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kewsong Lee Joins CSIS Board of Trustees |url=https://www.csis.org/news/kewsong-lee-joins-csis-board-trustees |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Lee is active in philanthropic and cultural organizations. He serves as chair of the board of directors of [[Lincoln Center Theater]] (LCT) in New York City. In July 2025, ''Broadway News'' reported that the artistic director position at Lincoln Center Theater, held by Lear deBessonet, was renamed the "Kewsong Lee Artistic Director" in recognition of Lee's role as a major donor and board chair.<ref name="broadwaynews">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=July 1, 2025 |title=Lear deBessonet's position at Lincoln Center Theater newly named for donor and board chair Kewsong Lee |url=https://www.broadwaynews.com/lear-debessonets-position-at-lincoln-center-theater-newly-named-for-donor-and-board-chair-kewsong-lee/ |work=Broadway News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> A ''Playbill'' job listing in 2025 referenced the "Kewsong Lee Artistic Director" title, further confirming the naming.<ref name="playbill">{{cite web |title=Administrator to the Kewsong Lee Artistic Director, at Lincoln Center Theater |url=https://playbill.com/job/administrator-to-the-kewsong-lee-artistic-director-at-lincoln-center-theater/52baa367-8ca7-4640-a38f-b3df4dfad44e |publisher=Playbill |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
== Recognition ==


Lee also serves on the board of trustees of the [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] (CSIS), a bipartisan policy research organization based in Washington, D.C.<ref name="csis" />
Lee's career has been the subject of extensive coverage in major financial publications, including ''The Wall Street Journal'', the ''Financial Times'', ''Bloomberg'', and ''Reuters''. His appointment as co-CEO of The Carlyle Group in 2017, alongside Glenn Youngkin, was one of the most closely watched leadership transitions in the private equity industry, as it marked the first time the firm's founding generation formally handed over operational control.<ref name="wsj2017" /><ref name="ft2017" /><ref name="afr2017" />


His philanthropic activities at Harvard University are reflected in the renaming of the Lowell House dining hall, which was associated with a significant gift from Lee.<ref name="crimson" />
The naming of the "Kewsong Lee Artistic Director" position at Lincoln Center Theater in 2025 recognized his sustained philanthropic contributions to the performing arts and his leadership of the theater's board.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-07-01 |title=Lear deBessonet's position at Lincoln Center Theater newly named for donor and board chair Kewsong Lee |url=https://www.broadwaynews.com/lear-debessonets-position-at-lincoln-center-theater-newly-named-for-donor-and-board-chair-kewsong-lee/ |work=Broadway News |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Recognition ==
His 2025 investment in the United Soccer League and appointment as vice chair was covered by Bloomberg, SportsPro, Private Equity Insights, and regional outlets including the ''Times Union'' and ''The Business Journals'', reflecting both the significance of the investment and Lee's profile as a former CEO of one of the world's largest alternative asset managers.<ref name="bloomberg2025" /><ref name="sportspro" /><ref name="peinsights" /><ref name="bizjournals" />


Lee's career in private equity has been the subject of extensive coverage in major financial publications, including ''The Wall Street Journal'', the ''Financial Times'', ''Bloomberg'', and ''Reuters''. His appointment as co-CEO of The Carlyle Group in 2017 was widely covered as a milestone leadership transition at one of the world's largest alternative asset management firms.<ref name="wsj2017" /><ref name="afr" /><ref name="ft2017" /><ref name="bloomberg2018" />
== Legacy ==


His profile in ''The Korea Times'' noted his prominence as a Korean American executive in the global finance industry.<ref name="koreatimes" />
Lee's career is notable for spanning the evolution of the private equity industry from the early 1990s through the 2020s. His more than two decades at Warburg Pincus and nearly a decade at The Carlyle Group placed him at the center of some of the industry's most consequential developments, including the professionalization of large-scale private equity, the transition of major alternative asset managers from private partnerships to publicly traded corporations, and the growing competition among firms to diversify beyond traditional leveraged buyouts into credit, real estate, and other asset classes.


The naming of the artistic director position at Lincoln Center Theater in his honor in 2025 recognized his contributions to the arts as a donor and board leader.<ref name="broadwaynews" />
At Carlyle, Lee's tenure as CEO coincided with a period of intensifying competition among the largest alternative asset managers. His efforts to diversify Carlyle's investment platform and expand its credit business reflected broader industry trends, even as the firm faced challenges in keeping pace with the asset growth of competitors such as Blackstone and Apollo.<ref name="wsjrebound" />


Lee's appointment as vice chair of the United Soccer League in 2025 was covered by Bloomberg, SportsPro, Private Equity Insights, ''The Business Journals'', and the ''Times Union'', reflecting the public interest in his post-Carlyle activities and his role in the growth of professional soccer in the United States.<ref name="bloomberg2025" /><ref name="sportspro" /><ref name="peinsights" /><ref name="bizjournals" /><ref name="timesunion" />
Lee's post-Carlyle career through BellTower Partners represents a model increasingly common among former executives of large financial institutions: leveraging accumulated expertise, networks, and capital to pursue a portfolio of investments, board roles, and philanthropic commitments. His involvement with the United Soccer League and efforts to bring professional soccer to Albany demonstrate an engagement with sports business and civic development that extends beyond traditional finance.<ref name="usl" /><ref name="timesunion" />


== References ==
== References ==
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Kewsong Lee
Kewsong Lee
Kewsong Lee
Born12 8, 1965
BirthplaceAlbany, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman, investor
TitleFounder and CEO, BellTower Partners
Known forFormer CEO of The Carlyle Group; Vice Chair of United Soccer League
EducationHarvard University (AB 1986, MBA 1990)

Kewsong Lee (born August 12, 1965) is an American businessman, investor, and the founder and chief executive officer of BellTower Partners, a private investment firm established in 2023. He is best known for his tenure as chief executive officer of The Carlyle Group, one of the world's largest private equity firms, where he served first as co-CEO from 2018 to 2020 alongside Glenn Youngkin, and then as sole CEO from 2020 until his departure in 2022. Lee's career in private equity spans more than three decades, beginning at Warburg Pincus in 1992, where he spent over two decades before joining Carlyle in 2013. At Carlyle, he oversaw significant structural changes to the firm, including its conversion from a partnership to a corporation. In September 2025, BellTower Partners made a strategic growth investment in the United Soccer League (USL), and Lee was named vice chair of the organization's board of directors. Lee is also active in cultural philanthropy, serving as chair of the board of directors of Lincoln Center Theater, where the artistic director position has been named in his honor.[1] An Albany, New York, native and Harvard University graduate, Lee has built a career at the intersection of finance, governance, and institutional leadership.

Early Life

Kewsong Lee was born on August 12, 1965, in Albany, New York.[2] He is of Korean descent.[3] Lee grew up in the Albany area and attended Choate Rosemary Hall, a private preparatory school in Wallingford, Connecticut.[4]

Lee has maintained connections to his hometown of Albany throughout his career. In 2025, he became a central figure in a proposal to bring a professional soccer stadium and team to downtown Albany through his involvement with the United Soccer League, a development that drew attention to his roots in the capital region of New York State.[2]

Education

Lee attended Harvard University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986.[5] He later returned to Harvard to attend Harvard Business School, where he received his Master of Business Administration degree in 1990.[6]

Lee has remained involved with Harvard University as an alumnus. In 2016, a dining hall renovation at Lowell House, one of Harvard's residential houses, drew attention in part due to donations from prominent alumni including Lee.[5]

Career

Warburg Pincus (1992–2013)

Lee began his career in private equity at Warburg Pincus, one of the oldest and most established private equity firms in the United States, in 1992.[7] Over the course of more than two decades at the firm, Lee built a reputation as a deal-oriented investor with expertise across multiple sectors. His long tenure at Warburg Pincus provided him with deep experience in leveraged buyouts, growth equity, and corporate restructuring.

Lee's departure from Warburg Pincus in 2013 attracted attention in the private equity industry, as he was considered a senior figure at the firm. His move to The Carlyle Group was reported by major financial publications as a significant hire for Carlyle.[8][9]

The Carlyle Group (2013–2022)

Joining Carlyle and Rise to Leadership

In November 2013, Lee joined The Carlyle Group as its deputy chief investment officer for corporate private equity, a newly created role.[8][9] The hire was seen as part of Carlyle's effort to bring in experienced outside talent to complement its existing leadership and strengthen its investment capabilities. Lee was brought in to work closely with the firm's founders, including David Rubenstein and William E. Conway Jr., on the firm's private equity strategy.

Lee quickly rose within Carlyle's leadership structure. By 2017, he was identified as one of two executives being groomed to take over the top leadership of the firm from its founding generation. In October 2017, Carlyle announced that Lee and Glenn Youngkin would become the firm's co-chief executive officers, succeeding co-founders Rubenstein and Conway.[10][11][12]

The Wall Street Journal described Lee as the "deal whiz" of the duo, noting his extensive track record in investment origination and execution, while Youngkin was characterized as the "homegrown quarterback" who had risen through Carlyle's ranks over many years.[10] The appointment marked a generational transition at one of the world's largest alternative asset management firms, as the founders stepped back from day-to-day management.

Co-CEO Tenure with Glenn Youngkin

Lee and Youngkin formally assumed the co-CEO roles in January 2018.[13] The co-CEO arrangement was designed to leverage the complementary strengths of the two executives. Lee focused primarily on investment strategy, portfolio management, and the firm's corporate private equity business, while Youngkin managed fundraising, investor relations, and certain operational matters.

During the co-CEO period, the firm undertook a major structural change. In 2019, Carlyle announced that it would abandon its partnership structure and convert to a corporation, also eliminating its dual-class share structure.[14] This conversion was a significant governance change that brought Carlyle in line with a broader industry trend among publicly traded alternative asset managers, including competitors such as KKR and Apollo Global Management, which had made or were making similar transitions. The move was intended to simplify the firm's corporate structure, broaden its investor base, and improve its standing with index fund managers.

Sole CEO

In September 2020, Glenn Youngkin announced his departure from The Carlyle Group to pursue other interests, which subsequently included a successful campaign for Governor of Virginia in 2021. With Youngkin's departure, Lee became the sole chief executive officer of Carlyle.[15]

As sole CEO, Lee worked to position Carlyle for growth in an increasingly competitive alternative asset management landscape. In a 2021 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Lee outlined his vision for the firm's rebound and future direction, focusing on expanding Carlyle's credit and insurance-linked investment businesses and leveraging the firm's global platform.[16] Lee also oversaw efforts to expand Carlyle's capabilities in debt and credit investing, including the recruitment of senior talent to lead the firm's credit platform.[17]

During Lee's tenure as sole CEO, Carlyle faced competitive pressures from larger rivals such as Blackstone and Apollo, which had grown their assets under management more rapidly. The firm navigated the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic while seeking to diversify its revenue streams beyond traditional leveraged buyouts.

Departure from Carlyle

In August 2022, Carlyle announced that Lee would depart the firm. The circumstances of his departure were reported by the Financial Times and other outlets, with reporting indicating disagreements between Lee and the firm's board of directors, including its founders, over compensation and the strategic direction of the firm.[18][19]

Lee's departure marked the end of a nearly decade-long tenure at Carlyle and prompted a leadership search that ultimately resulted in the appointment of Harvey Schwartz, a former president of Goldman Sachs, as his successor.

BellTower Partners (2023–present)

Following his departure from Carlyle, Lee founded BellTower Partners in 2023, a private investment firm through which he pursues investment opportunities across multiple sectors.[20]

In September 2025, BellTower Partners made a strategic growth investment in the United Soccer League (USL), the largest professional soccer organization in the United States by number of clubs. As part of the transaction, Lee was named vice chair of the USL's board of directors.[20][21][22] The investment came at a time when the USL was planning to launch a Division One professional league and expand its footprint across the United States.[23]

Lee's investment in the USL was also connected to efforts to bring a professional soccer team and stadium to his hometown of Albany, New York. The Times Union reported that Lee was a central figure in a proposal for a downtown Albany USL stadium, linking his investment in the league to his roots in the capital region.[2][24]

Personal Life

Lee maintains ties to his hometown of Albany, New York, and has been involved in civic and philanthropic efforts in the region, including the proposal to bring a professional soccer stadium to downtown Albany.[2]

Lee is active in the arts and cultural philanthropy. He serves as the chair of the board of directors of Lincoln Center Theater in New York City. In July 2025, Lincoln Center Theater announced that the artistic director position, held by Lear deBessonet, would be renamed the "Kewsong Lee Artistic Director" in recognition of Lee's contributions as a donor and board chair.[25][26]

Lee also serves on the board of trustees of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a bipartisan policy research organization based in Washington, D.C.[27]

Recognition

Lee's career has been the subject of extensive coverage in major financial publications, including The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and Reuters. His appointment as co-CEO of The Carlyle Group in 2017, alongside Glenn Youngkin, was one of the most closely watched leadership transitions in the private equity industry, as it marked the first time the firm's founding generation formally handed over operational control.[10][12][11]

The naming of the "Kewsong Lee Artistic Director" position at Lincoln Center Theater in 2025 recognized his sustained philanthropic contributions to the performing arts and his leadership of the theater's board.[28]

His 2025 investment in the United Soccer League and appointment as vice chair was covered by Bloomberg, SportsPro, Private Equity Insights, and regional outlets including the Times Union and The Business Journals, reflecting both the significance of the investment and Lee's profile as a former CEO of one of the world's largest alternative asset managers.[21][23][22][24]

Legacy

Lee's career is notable for spanning the evolution of the private equity industry from the early 1990s through the 2020s. His more than two decades at Warburg Pincus and nearly a decade at The Carlyle Group placed him at the center of some of the industry's most consequential developments, including the professionalization of large-scale private equity, the transition of major alternative asset managers from private partnerships to publicly traded corporations, and the growing competition among firms to diversify beyond traditional leveraged buyouts into credit, real estate, and other asset classes.

At Carlyle, Lee's tenure as CEO coincided with a period of intensifying competition among the largest alternative asset managers. His efforts to diversify Carlyle's investment platform and expand its credit business reflected broader industry trends, even as the firm faced challenges in keeping pace with the asset growth of competitors such as Blackstone and Apollo.[16]

Lee's post-Carlyle career through BellTower Partners represents a model increasingly common among former executives of large financial institutions: leveraging accumulated expertise, networks, and capital to pursue a portfolio of investments, board roles, and philanthropic commitments. His involvement with the United Soccer League and efforts to bring professional soccer to Albany demonstrate an engagement with sports business and civic development that extends beyond traditional finance.[20][2]

References

  1. ↑ "Lear deBessonet's position at Lincoln Center Theater newly named for donor and board chair Kewsong Lee".Broadway News.2025-07-01.https://www.broadwaynews.com/lear-debessonets-position-at-lincoln-center-theater-newly-named-for-donor-and-board-chair-kewsong-lee/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Churchill,"Churchill: He's a major player in the plan to bring soccer to Albany".Times Union.2025-09-27.https://www.timesunion.com/churchill/article/kewsong-lee-major-player-plan-bring-soccer-albany-21069038.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Kewsong Lee profile".The Korea Times.2021-11-01.https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2021/11/175_293606.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Choate Rosemary Hall Bulletin, Spring 2018".Choate Rosemary Hall.https://issuu.com/choaterosemaryhall/docs/sp18_bulletin.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Lowell Dining Hall Rename".The Harvard Crimson.2016-11-17.https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/11/17/lowell-dining-hall-rename/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Kewsong Lee – About Carlyle".The Carlyle Group.https://www.carlyle.com/about-carlyle/team/kewsong-lee.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Warburg Pincus's Kewsong Lee Sticks It Out in Private Equity".Buyouts Insider.https://www.buyoutsinsider.com/warburg-pincuss-kewsong-lee-sticks-it-out-in-private-equity/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Carlyle hires Warburg Pincus veteran Lee".Reuters.2013-11-04.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-carlyle-cio-idUSBRE9A30I120131104.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Carlyle Hires Warburg Pincus Executive".The Wall Street Journal.2013.https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304391204579178241744426188.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Carlyle's Next Generation: A Deal Whiz and a Homegrown Quarterback".The Wall Street Journal.2017-10-27.https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyles-next-generation-a-deal-whiz-and-a-homegrown-quarterback-1509123465.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Private equity Carlyle Group names Kewsong Lee, Glenn Youngkin as new leaders".Australian Financial Review.2017-10-26.https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/private-equity-carlyle-group-names-kewsong-lee-glenn-youngkin-as-new-leaders-20171026-gz8d7s.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Carlyle names Lee and Youngkin as co-CEOs".Financial Times.2017.https://www.ft.com/content/e694b798-b969-11e7-9bfb-4a9c83ffa852.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Carlyle Group Glenn Youngkin Kewsong Lee Interview".Bloomberg.https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2018-carlyle-group-glenn-youngkin-kewsong-lee-interview/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Carlyle to Abandon Partnership Structure and Dual-Class Shares".The Wall Street Journal.2019.https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-to-abandon-partnership-structure-and-dual-class-shares-11564569000.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Carlyle co-CEO Glenn Youngkin to step down".Financial Times.https://www.ft.com/content/53e11816-18a6-4cfa-9d9e-51408672f417.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee Plots Rebound for Private-Equity Pioneer".The Wall Street Journal.2021-04-25.https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-ceo-kewsong-lee-plots-rebound-for-private-equity-pioneer-11619352001.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Carlyle Taps Pension-Fund Executive to Head Debt Investing".The Wall Street Journal.2016-09-12.https://www.wsj.com/articles/carlyle-taps-pension-fund-executive-to-head-debt-investing-1473689829?mod=article_inline.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee departs".Financial Times.https://www.ft.com/content/4737c65e-8994-4306-ad9c-f5597610571e.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Inside Kewsong Lee's departure from Carlyle".Financial Times.https://www.ft.com/content/b069b69f-6413-4f29-a9ff-288ac2eb690d.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "BellTower Partners Makes Strategic Growth Investment in United Soccer League; Founder and CEO Kewsong Lee Named Vice Chair".United Soccer League.2025-09-23.https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1346598.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "United Soccer League Gets Investment From Ex-Carlyle CEO Lee".Bloomberg.2025-09-23.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-23/united-soccer-league-gets-investment-from-ex-carlyle-ceo-lee.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Ex-Carlyle CEO Kewsong Lee invests in USL, joins board as vice-chair".Private Equity Insights.2025-09-23.https://pe-insights.com/ex-carlyle-ceo-kewsong-lee-invests-in-usl-joins-board-as-vice-chair/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "USL sells minority stake as ex-Carlyle CEO joins board".SportsPro.2025-09-24.https://www.sportspro.com/news/usl-minority-stake-belltower-partners-kewsong-lee-investment-september-2025/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Albany stadium backer invests in United Soccer League".The Business Journals.2025-09-24.https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2025/09/24/albany-stadium-backer-invests-in-soccer-league.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Lear deBessonet's position at Lincoln Center Theater newly named for donor and board chair Kewsong Lee".Broadway News.2025-07-01.https://www.broadwaynews.com/lear-debessonets-position-at-lincoln-center-theater-newly-named-for-donor-and-board-chair-kewsong-lee/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Administrator to the Kewsong Lee Artistic Director, at Lincoln Center Theater".Playbill.https://playbill.com/job/administrator-to-the-kewsong-lee-artistic-director-at-lincoln-center-theater/52baa367-8ca7-4640-a38f-b3df4dfad44e.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Kewsong Lee Joins CSIS Board of Trustees".Center for Strategic and International Studies.https://www.csis.org/news/kewsong-lee-joins-csis-board-trustees.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Lear deBessonet's position at Lincoln Center Theater newly named for donor and board chair Kewsong Lee".Broadway News.2025-07-01.https://www.broadwaynews.com/lear-debessonets-position-at-lincoln-center-theater-newly-named-for-donor-and-board-chair-kewsong-lee/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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