SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The American Red Cross has announced Lee Eastburn is the new Executive Director of the Southern Missouri Chapter.
“Lee brings an extensive background in nonprofit leadership, humanitarian service, and community engagement,” said Barry Falke, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Missouri-Arkansas Region. “Her commitment to fostering community resilience and strategic planning makes her an excellent addition to our leadership team. We are thrilled to welcome her as she leads the Southern Missouri Chapter in furthering our life-saving mission.”
In her new role, Eastburn will work closely with the region’s board of directors and committees, strengthen relationships with key community partners, engage with local elected officials, and serve as the local leader of the Red Cross throughout the communities of the Southern Missouri Chapter.
Eastburn has over 17 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, with a strong focus on volunteer engagement, fundraising, and program development. Most recently, she served as a Volunteer Services Recruitment Manager for the Colorado and Wyoming Region of the Red Cross, where she successfully exceeded recruitment targets by 140% and strengthened community partnerships through targeted outreach and inclusive strategies.
Eastburn’s career also includes roles in educational outreach, environmental advocacy, and marketing. While working with The Tennessee Clean Water Network, she served as the Director of Marketing, managed youth programs across multiple counties and secured substantial funding for environmental initiatives. Additionally, she has experience in international development, having served as an Environmental Development Specialist in the Dominican Republic, where she helped secure over $500,000 in grant funding for community projects.
“I am honored to join the incredible team at the Red Cross in Southern Missouri,” Eastburn said. “I look forward to building upon the strong foundation already in place and working with our dedicated volunteers and community partners to further our mission of alleviating human suffering.”
Eastburn holds two Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies and Spanish Business from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. She officially began her role on February 3rd, 2025, and relocated to Springfield, Missouri, the week prior.
