Nguyen Pham and Billie Lee

The Mensa Foundation’s Study of Unmet Needs

In 2024, the Mensa Foundation’s Board of Trustees commissioned its first-ever formal research initiative: the Study of Unmet Needs Among Highly Intelligent Individuals, conducted with Dr. Tracy Cross and Dr. Jennifer Riedl Cross of the William & Mary Center for Gifted Education. Learn more about the needs of gifted individuals and the challenges they face in accessing resources and support across the lifespan.

Nguyen Pham joined Mensa in 2010 and quickly became involved in the Mensa Foundation. He served as Secretary before becoming President in 2024, the first person of color and first openly LGBTQ+ individual in this role. Nguyen has raised over $4 million for charitable causes, including as President Emeritus of San Francisco Pride. Professionally, he leads philanthropic efforts in San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community. Nguyen holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an MBA from San Francisco State University. His leadership exemplifies the Mensa Foundation’s commitment to inclusivity and impact.

Billie Lee is the Vice President of the Mensa Foundation Board of Trustees, where she has served since 2023. She previously served on the American Mensa Committee as Second Vice Chair (2017–2021). She also leads the Human Intelligence + AI SIG, which explores how AI can help unleash human intelligence and turn smart ideas into real change.