Stacy Kimie Lew ’14 empowers abuse survivors

Stacy Kimie Lew, ‘14, turned her adversity and hardship into positive change for over 50,000 people.

Lew’s nonprofit, FinAbility, aids survivors of domestic abuse with financial tools and mentorship to keep survivors from returning to abusive situations. By rebuilding financial stability, FinAbility helps rebuild survivors’ lives.

Lew obtained a dual degree in chemical engineering and integrated business and engineering from Lehigh.

After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C. 

Living in a big city for the first time was a new and exciting chapter for Lew, until she was the victim of harassment by a former coworker that escalated to severe stalking.

She said she was emotionally threatened and legally abused. Lew spent three years in courtrooms getting protective orders and dealing with civil and criminal cases. 

Lew’s employer paid her legal fees, gave work schedule flexibility and flew her out of Washington, D.C. in the face of serious safety threats. 

Later, Lew discovered she was at high risk of being killed by her stalker. 

“Most people in my situation wouldn’t still be here,” Lew said. “Most people who are experiencing domestic violence or stalking have almost no financial resources. Having the privilege of being safe and getting to see how all the systems work really made me want to get more involved.”

Lew said survivors face an impossible choice of experiencing homelessness or returning to an unsafe situation, as many people stay with their abusers because they can’t afford to leave.

Lew set out to fill this gap in services to help survivors achieve financial stability, pushing her to start FinAbility in 2020.

When starting the organization, Lew knew the importance of humility. She acknowledged the importance of help and sought out voices. 

“That’s what made (FinAbility) exceptional in a lot of ways, because we aren’t afraid to ask people for help,” Lew said. 

She attributes this thinking to Pasquale Costa’s teachings, a professor of practice in industrial and systems engineering at Lehigh. 

“(Costa) always said this phrase, ‘The world is on your team,’” Lew said. “I deeply, deeply believe that, and I think FinAbility works because one of our core values is humility. We’re always seeking out perspectives of those more knowledgeable than us.”

Costa tells his students to “Shut up and listen,” preaching the importance of talking to others.

He said IBE students, including Lew, have mindsets that keep them thinking with both sides of their brains. 

“IBE students learn to address open-ended problems,” Costa said. “Unknown problem, unknown solution. They address a technical issue in a business context from that entrepreneurial focus. What (Lew) does today is really a continuation of what she learned here at Lehigh.”

Lew’s education influenced her problem-solving approach to work. She views her work as experiments with parameters, data and resources.

“Being an engineer has really helped my career exponentially,” Lew said. “That has enabled (FinAbility) to do a lot with very little.” 

Lew’s unique outlook is felt by others working at FinAbility, including Joleen Fuller, the organization’s director of programs. Fuller recognized Lew’s out-of-the-box thinking and dedication to talking with people. 

With Lew’s approach, FinAbility has supported over 50,000 individuals and raised over $900,000. 

“What (Lew) does is life changing,” Costa said. “Her successes can last a lifetime.”

Because of Lew’s work with FinAbility, she was awarded Lehigh’s Young Alumni Award in 2024. The award is given to recent alumni who have made great strides in their field or garnered great recognition. 

In receiving this award, Lew was given the opportunity to meet with other alumni and reconnect with the university. 

“I am really grateful for all the resources and support,” Lew said. “It’s something I do not take for granted.”

It’s not only her award-winning work with FinAbility that sets Lew apart. Her unique mindset and humility have propelled her through success. 

“She deeply cares about others and others’ opinions,” Fuller said. “(Lew) is a truly kind and humble person who’s also incredibly smart and innovative in the way that she thinks.” 

Lew continues to draw passion and excitement from her work to this day. She said she’s definitely an adventure seeker. 

“We can’t find new continents, but we can come up with new ideas and try to bring them to life,” Lew said. “The possibility and the potential impact you can have continues to excite me.”