Dr. Lauren Lek

Head of School, Academy of Our Lady of Peace

Dr. Lauren Lek is the Head of School at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, the oldest high school in San Diego, and the only remaining all girls’ Catholic school. Lauren graduated from Moreau Catholic High School, where she would later return to as a teacher, administrator and the first alumnae Principal. She is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego, where she was named Miss San Diego 1999 with the Miss America pageant, winning the musicians award for her piano performance and enough scholarship dollars to cover the remaining senior year at UCSD. She holds her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California, and her Doctorate in Educational Technology Leadership from Pepperdine University. An avid presenter and researcher, Dr. Lek holds a reputation as a passionate educator for women’s leadership, STEAM learning, and giving back in her community. She serves on the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) Board of Directors since 2019, the San Diego Downtown Rotary Club 33 since 2014, and has in the past been an advisory board member for Mount Saint Mary’s University CSJ Institute, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet governance advisory board.  

Dr. Lek is the recipient of many awards and recognitions including the Cross and Anchors Award recognizing Holy Cross Alumni from Moreau Catholic High School, the Athena Pinnacle Award in Education, one of San Diego’s 40 under 40, CEO of the Year Award, a nominee for San Diego Magazine Woman of the Year, and most recently was named by San Diego Metro, a 2023 featured Woman of Inspiration. A mother of three children and guardian to her first cousin, now a senior in the class of 2023, Dr. Lek’s favorite moments are spending time with her husband, family, along with all of the many children in her life (big sleepovers are epic in the Lek household)!

Panel: Beyond the Crown: Funding your Future

Session: 1