The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Rachel Lee as Executive Director of the Foundation.
For many within the corrections community, Rachel Lee is already a familiar and trusted face. Having dedicated many years of service to CPOF, Rachel has played an instrumental role in the organization’s growth, operations, and mission of “Taking Care of Our Own.” Her appointment marks both a continuation of the Foundation’s legacy and an exciting step forward for the future of the organization.
Founded in 1984 by five California Correctional Officers, CPOF began with a mission to support the widows and children of fallen correctional officers across the nation. Over the decades, the Foundation has expanded into a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that provides catastrophic assistance, scholarships, survivor support, and hosts PROJECT 2000 — the Foundation’s annual memorial and family gathering honoring correctional professionals and their loved ones.
Rachel’s journey with nonprofit service began prior to joining CPOF while working as a Library Media Materials Specialist in an underserved community. During that time, she successfully developed, funded, and maintained the first technology center of its kind within the school district through grant writing and strategic budgeting. Her efforts included training faculty and students while ensuring the project remained fully funded and under budget.
That same dedication, innovation, and leadership carried into her work at CPOF. Throughout her career with the Foundation, Rachel had the unique opportunity to work directly alongside the organization’s founding members, learning every aspect of the organization from the ground up. Over the years, she has served in virtually every office position and program within the Foundation, helping develop and implement additional programs that have contributed significantly to CPOF’s continued success and national impact.
Under her leadership and operational guidance, CPOF has maintained top ratings with charity evaluators, including Charity Navigator and GuideStar, while continuing to grow its membership, outreach, and programs. During her tenure, the organization has tripled in value and supporting membership, all while maintaining low operating costs and responsible budgeting practices.
One of Rachel’s most notable contributions has been her leadership of PROJECT 2000, CPOF’s annual four-day memorial event honoring fallen correctional professionals and supporting surviving families. Rachel began assisting with PROJECT 2000 in 2003 before assuming full responsibility for the event in 2008. Since then, the event has grown from approximately 200 attendees to a nationally recognized gathering capped at nearly 750 participants. Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, PROJECT 2000 continued uninterrupted under her direction.
Her work coordinating hundreds of attendees, honor guard members, volunteers, travel logistics, hotels, venues, and memorial ceremonies has helped establish PROJECT 2000 as one of the most respected correctional memorial events in the nation.
In addition to her operational leadership, Rachel has cultivated meaningful relationships throughout the corrections profession that have strengthened the Foundation’s national presence, increased donations, expanded supporting membership, and enhanced partnerships with facilities and corporations nationwide.
Rachel’s dedication to correctional professionals and their families has earned recognition from CPOF, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California State House and Senate, and the United States House of Representatives.
As Executive Director, Rachel Lee brings decades of experience, institutional knowledge, compassion, and vision to the role. Her leadership reflects the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to supporting correctional professionals and their families during times of tragedy, hardship, and need.
The accompanying photo captures a full-circle moment for the Foundation. Standing alongside the CPOF Board of Directors in front of the wall honoring the organization’s founding fathers, Rachel is pictured beside the very men whose leadership, mentorship, and vision helped shape both the Foundation and her own journey within it. After years of working alongside the founders of CPOF, her appointment as Executive Director symbolizes the continuation of their legacy and the future of the Foundation’s mission to always take care of our own.
Please join us in congratulating Rachel Lee on her appointment as Executive Director of the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation.