Karl Lee Business Strategist, Marketer & Builder Karl Lee is a global business strategist, marketer, and operations leader based in Toronto, Canada. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Shanghai, he has built a career spanning film production, digital marketing, logistics, mining, and brand strategy across Africa, Asia, and North America. He founded Karl Lee Productions at age 15, served as Deputy Director at Ajara Trucking Logistics managing a 100-truck fleet, built video infrastructure at M Moser Associates, and co-managed a mining firm in Zimbabwe. He specializes in cross-cultural leadership, growth marketing, and systems building. Toronto, Ontario, Canada LinkedIn
KARL
LEE

Strategy. Marketing. Operations. R&D.

Global business leader based in Toronto, Canada.

With experience scaling teams, brands, and operations across three continents, I bring a global perspective to strategy, marketing, and business growth. Canadian PR holder, open to Toronto-based or hybrid roles.

Who I Am

Karl Lee - Business Strategist, Marketer and Operations Leader based in Toronto, Canada

Born in Hong Kong, raised in Shanghai, and educated in Vancouver, I've followed a non-linear path that's led me through film sets, supply chains, mining operations, and boardrooms across five continents.

At 15, I launched a film company that earned awards and delivered campaigns for brands like Alibaba and Citibank. That creative foundation evolved into a career in digital marketing and later into logistics, mining, and brand strategy, including co-managing a mining firm and founding one of its highest-revenue subsidiaries.

Every transition sharpened my ability to build systems, manage cross-cultural teams, and lead with both precision and vision. From Zimbabwe to Xiamen, I've learned how to operate in complexity and how to turn overlooked opportunities into working businesses.

I'm planning on relocating back to Canada and looking for my next full-time challenge in strategy, marketing, or operations.

Hong Kong

Born

Shanghai

Raised

Vancouver

Studied

New York

Lived & Worked

Toronto

Lived & Worked

Zimbabwe

Lived & Worked

Xiamen

Lived & Worked

Johannesburg

Lived & Worked

Karl Lee

Karl Lee is a global business strategist, marketer, and operations leader based in Toronto, Canada. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Shanghai, he has lived and worked across five continents including Africa, Asia, and North America. His career spans film production, digital marketing, logistics, mining operations, and brand strategy. At 15, he founded Karl Lee Productions, delivering award-winning campaigns for brands like Alibaba and Citibank. He later served as Deputy Director at Ajara Trucking Logistics, where he led a fleet revival plan for 100 trucks achieving a 15% cost reduction. At M Moser Associates, he built the company's first integrated video database and brought production in-house. Karl co-managed a mining firm in Zimbabwe and founded one of its highest-revenue subsidiaries. He specializes in cross-cultural team leadership, systems building, growth marketing, and turning overlooked opportunities into working businesses. He is currently seeking full-time roles in strategy, marketing, or business operations in Canada.

Impact in Numbers

From film sets to measurable results across operations, marketing & technology.

260% Revenue Growth
3.3M+ Views Generated
3,104 AI Conversations
100+ Trucks Managed
3 Continents
15% Cost Reduction

Experience

With a foundation in storytelling and a record of driving growth across logistics, design, marketing, and operations, my experience spans both scale and startup. I've led 50-person teams, built brands from scratch, and shipped products across three continents.

I'm now seeking new opportunities to apply these capabilities in a full-time role. I hold Canadian PR and am ready to relocate to Toronto.

Finstone AG

Business Strategist & Group Marketing Lead

2024 - Present • South Africa & Switzerland
  • → Controlled 80% of Rustenburg granite supply; bulk-sale policies to protect profitability
  • → Co-Interim GM of Stone Connection SA, restructured operations & brand identity
  • → Launched AI WhatsApp automation: 3,104 conversations, 468 CRM leads, 100% response rate
  • → Led digital marketing across 3 brands: 3.3M views, 25,443% impression surge, 1,400% follower growth
  • → Global procurement & logistics: quartz and machinery imports from China
  • → Sales tracking system across 11 national branches; AI recruitment & payroll automation

The Stone Lab

Creator & Operations Lead

2024 - Present • Johannesburg, South Africa (Cape Town, Jul-Oct 2025)
  • → Founded Finstone's luxury division, repurposing stone offcuts into premium stoneware
  • → Sent full-time to Cape Town (Jul-Oct 2025) to assist in sales operations & scaling
  • → Scaled revenue by 260% through refined marketing & client development
  • → Rebranded Stone Connection Cape Town into The Stone Lab's first brick-and-mortar store
  • → Expanded product range from stoneware to cobbles & slabs; doubled the team

Ajara Trucking Logistics

Deputy Director

2023 - 2024 • Harare, Zimbabwe
  • → Led strategic restructuring of a 100-truck fleet operating across Southern Africa
  • → Reduced overhead costs by 15% through operational review and KPI implementation
  • → Rebuilt financial infrastructure with robust accounting systems for transparency
  • → Designed a Revival Plan that optimized cost management and improved profitability
  • → Reorganized management structure to enhance accountability and workflows

M Moser Associates

Video Producer, NA/EU Marketing

2022 - 2023 • Vancouver, Canada
  • → Established M Moser's first fully integrated video database across North America
  • → Brought video production in-house, reducing turnaround time and outsourcing costs
  • → Created infrastructure for digital content workflow across multiple NA offices
  • → Produced large-scale marketing videos for internal and external campaigns
  • → Reduced company spending on third-party video/photo content through NA asset consolidation

Karl Lee Productions

Founder & Director

2012 - 2018 • Vancouver
  • → Film production company at age 15
  • → Multiple festival awards

Awards & Recognition

Shanghai International Film Festival - Best Short Film
SWAN Collective - Innovation Award
Hollywood Apprenticeship Program
M Moser - Marketing Excellence Award

Showreel

Coming Soon

Let's Connect

I'm currently open to full-time roles in strategy, marketing, business operations, or growth, ideally Toronto-based or remote/hybrid. If you're a recruiter, founder, or future collaborator, feel free to reach out directly.

karl@karlylegroup.com LinkedIn Instagram Facebook

Location: Canadian PR (Open to relocation)