Lee Petrie received a Master of Arts in Art History from Queen’s University and a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto.

She began her museum career as an apprentice blacksmith at Black Creek Pioneer Village. She then became the Education Co-ordinator at The Varley Gallery in Markham.

From 1998 to 2006, she worked at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, where she managed public programs and contributed to exhibitions.

In 2006, she became the Greater Toronto Airports Authority’s first Manager, Cultural Programs, functioning as curator at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Lee maintains the airport’s permanent collection of eleven large-scale site-specific works, and develops shows for the six temporary exhibition spaces.