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Lynn McBee’s Next Grand Experiment

The biotech and education exec is taking a scientific approach to solving Dallas’ employment issues as the city’s new workforce development czar.

story by CHRISTINE PEREZ photography by JILL BROUSSARD

Wanalytical because we’re always having to do a million things and problem-solve.”

In late 2018, McBee joined a crowded field of Dallas mayoral candidates. She finished third, losing out to current Mayor Eric Johnson—whom she has known since their days in Leadership Dallas’ class of 2006. This past January, McBee accepted an invitation from her former rival to serve as the city’s workforce dewhile her two sisters played with their velopment czar. Programs like Dallas Promise baby dolls, a young Lynn McBee spent her time and other initiatives through DISD and Dallas collecting bugs, conducting experiments with College have made inroads with middle school her chemistry set, and building ramps for her and high school students, McBee says; the workDerry Daring Trick Cycle. (The action-figure force initiative is targeted at an older population toy was marketed as the girl version of a set of people (25 to 65 years old) who need to be featuring motorcycle stunt king Evel Kniev- skilled, reskilled, or upskilled. “Quite frankly, el.) McBee’s father, a Korean War vet who used the only way we will be able to grow as a city the G.I. Bill to earn a master’s degree in math- is if we develop our workforce,” she says. “This ematics, strongly supported her interests. Her isn’t just about plugging someone into a job; it’s mother, an SMU grad who was a teacher for about developing a career path that will change about 10 years, was confused by it. “She saw not only their lives but generations that follow.” how much I loved being outside and how I was It’s an audacious goal and one that will resparked by science, though,” McBee says. “I was quire finding a way to help people—many who lucky to have my parents in my camp saying, are grappling with generations of poverty— ‘You can do whatever you want.’ And so, I did.” overcome significant barriers, including trans-

She earned a biochemistry degree at The Uni- portation and childcare issues. As she does with versity of Texas in Austin, when just 25 percent everything, McBee is approaching the problem of students in the school’s College of Natural with a scientific mindset. “Scientists think in Sciences were women. She then took a job with terms of systems and processes,” she says. “It New England Bio Labs in Boston, working as makes you very efficient, and it makes you able a research scientist. McBee was transferred to to make decisions quicker.” Dallas and, after three decades with the compa- Strategies include working with faith-based orny, shifted to an advisory role to take the helm ganizations and nonprofits to build awareness and of Young Women’s Preparatory Network. The the business community to provide support, jobs, program supports 10 STEM-focused, all-girls and career pathways. That might mean, for exampublic schools in Texas. “I’m passionate about ple, helping an airline mechanic get the needed helping girls have an opportunity to get an ed- education and training to become a pilot. “Immeucation—especially in the science field because diately after the mayor made the announcement, that’s where the jobs of tomorrow are,” she says. companies began reaching out and offering sup“I also think women make the best engineers port,” McBee says. “The pieces are there; it’s just and scientists because we multitask, we’re cre- connecting everyone and helping them align beative in our thinking, and we’re naturally more hind what we’re going to call success.”

“This isn’t just about plugging someone into a job; it’s about developing a career path that will change not only their lives but generations that follow.” LYNN McBEE GAME PLAN Bridging the Divide Between Jobs and Skills Along with McBee’s appointment as workforce development czar, the city-wide initiative to upskill Dallas centers on these three priorities, outlined in a report by Cicero Group, commissioned by Mayor Johnson.

FORMAL COLLABORATION.

Establishing formal agreements with existing workforce development organizations to align efforts and accountability for outcomes.

PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT.

Leverage the mayor and city council members to communicate and promote local upskilling programs to target audiences.

NAVIGATION SUPPORT.

Refine digital support and develop a hub to help working-age adults take advantage of upskilling opportunities and resources.