Lee Dale
Lee is a creative force for good in the world. Like myself, Lee started his career as a Web Designer/Developer and eventually started his own firm Smack, which has now transformed into Say Yeah! Unlike myself, Lee was able to carve out a sustainable cycle in a small agency focusing on doing one thing very well: helping organizations leverage technology and processes in ways that radically improve customer experience.
I have the utmost respect for people who can craft a beautifully designed, balanced interface from a rough set of specifications and muddled ideas. Lee has the gift of taking a client and walking them through their own process to not only familiarize himself with the offering but clarify to the owner that they don’t yet know their company from a customer’s perspective. In my last engagement with Lee at Cannect, it was very sobering and liberating to have your product ideas fully exposed and tested against a customer interaction. Often times I just want to jump in and build the product. Working with Lee reminded me that the process of designing and marketing a product needs to be methodical. You must take the time to understand your offering from the customer’s perspective. Lee excels at challenging each part of your product and making it work better for the customer.
Lee has been active in social justice and charity. As one of the committee members and later co-chair of HoHoTO, Lee helped raise money for Toronto charities like Daily Bread Food Bank and YWCA Toronto. He later helped to evolve that organization into Together as Founder and Chairman supporting charities, youth mentorship, and underrepresented professionals in STEM. And this volunteer in shaping a more professional digital community has come full circle with Say Yeah’s growing emphasis on inclusive design as part of their everyday consulting work.
Lee and I also share a passion for DJing. So when he finds rare time, similar to myself, to put out a mix I’m always entertained by his selection and presentation of new music.
I’m proud to include Lee in My52. With his invaluable contributions to the Toronto tech community I have no doubt that our paths will continue to cross in the future.
Twitter: @leedaleyyz
LinkedIn: /leedaleyyz
