Sean Lee

Sean Lee earned a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 1996 and a degree from the California Institute of Technology in 1999. Lee's career experience includes working in financial services.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a scientist-turned-insurance executive with more than 2.5 decades of experience in financial services, risk management, and consumer protection. I began my career in scientific research at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech where I developed a strong foundation in data analysis, modeling, and complex systems — skills that later shaped my approach to insurance and risk.

Transitioning into the private sector, I built and led multiple financial services organizations, including serving as Founder and CEO of Antai Global Inc. Over the course of my career, I have worked directly with families, retirees, and small business owners, helping them navigate insurance products, retirement planning, and financial protection strategies. This front-line experience has given me a clear understanding of the gap between how insurance systems are designed and how they function in real life for consumers.

My work has focused on bridging that gap — combining data-driven insights with practical solutions that improve access, affordability, and transparency. I have also been actively engaged in community as Treasurer and VP for HOA board at Grove, Orchard Hills in City of Irvine and professional initiatives, including founding the Sino-America Finance Association to promote collaboration and education in financial services.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

1. Restore California’s Insurance Market

California’s insurance market is breaking down. Insurers are withdrawing, non-renewals are rising, and coverage is becoming unavailable or unaffordable — especially in high-risk areas. The core problem is a growing disconnection between regulatory constraints and real-world risk. As Insurance Commissioner, I will modernize rate-setting rules to reflect actual exposure, streamline approval timelines, and create a stable, predictable regulatory environment that encourages insurers to remain in and return to the California market. A functioning market is the foundation of consumer protection.2. Stabilize and Reform the FAIR Plan

The California FAIR Plan was designed as a temporary safety net, but it is rapidly becoming the default insurer for many homeowners. This is unsustainable. I will strengthen its financial stability through better risk-sharing with private insurers and reinsurance markets, improve transparency, and expand its capacity where necessary. At the same time, I will implement a clear long-term strategy to transition policyholders back into the private market. The goal is not to grow the FAIR Plan, but to shrink it responsibly as the broader market recovers.3. Protect Consumers with Transparency and Accountability

Consumers are facing rising premiums, coverage gaps, and increasing frustration with claims handling. I will enforce strict standards for timely, fair claims payments and hold insurers accountable when they fail to meet them. I will also require greater transparency in rate-setting, including the use of catastrophe models and AI tools, so consumers understand how their premiums are determined. Homeowners who invest in wildfire mitigation — such as home hardening and defensible space — should receive clear, measurable insurance benefits, including improved access to coverage and meaningful premium reductions (I proposed a guaranteed premium credit for individual mitigation).

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public policies that improve how complex systems serve real people—especially in areas like insurance, risk management, and financial protection. Too often, these systems are difficult for consumers to understand and do not perform as intended when people need them most.

Here is my focus. First, risk transparency and data-driven policy, so decisions are based on reality rather than outdated assumptions. Second, consumer protection with real accountability, ensuring that insurers honor their commitments and that claims are handled fairly and promptly. Third, modernizing regulation, so it reflects current risks such as wildfire exposure and use new tools like advanced modeling and AI while maintaining strong overnight.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The President of California Institute of Technology