Leadership & Members

Dr. Elizabeth A. Yoe, United States Navy-Retired, is a decorated U.S. military veteran and community leader. Elizabeth has served our Nation honorably around the globe and continues to serve the community as a Lion of Lions International. Elizabeth is a U.S. Navy "Mustang" and "Limited Duty Officer (LDO)," and she served as an Intelligence Officer with a myriad of assignments that included the US Navy Seals, Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal, and Joint Task Force tours with Immigration Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Her overseas work efforts supported Allied Command Europe-Counterintelligence, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as Ford Aerospace. Additionally, she served as coordinator and translator on the US "Troop Train" between the Western and Eastern Blocs. Elizabeth served during the USA 9/11 attack by terrorists on the East Coast, and Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. One of her final assignments was in Washington, D.C., as Deputy Aide-de-Camp, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (SECDEF/I).

Having traveled to all seven continents and 137 countries, she has seen the people and countries that require support, hope, and financial assistance. Elizabeth's service to others includes organizations in many parts of the world. During her career, thousands of hours of volunteer work performed earned her two Military Outstanding Volunteer Service medals for her service and contributions. Elizabeth has helped housebound community members without transportation and has donated generously to charities around the globe. Lion Liz's exemplary and continuous commitment to our local communities, military members, and lion family led to her selection as District 4L6's Lions Veteran of the Year 2018-2019. Elizabeth's exemplary record of commitment to our communities and military members led to her bestowment on the local military Wall of Honor, and recipient of the 2025 Blu Lapis Service & Sacrifice Military Veteran Woman Award.

Elizabeth was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for her dedication to global humanitarian services and is a "7-Diamond" Progressive Fellow. She was presented with the International President's Leadership Medal, MD4 Excellence in Leadership Medal, and leadership medals from three consecutive District 4L6 Governors. Lion Liz has served as a Region and Zone Chair, Trainer for District 4L6, and a Multiple District (MD) 4 instructor at the state convention. Dr. Yoe sponsored 35 new Lions during the last eight years and, as a Club President, received District 4L6's Medium Club Excellent Award two years in a row: 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Her club was nominated and selected as District 4L6's 2023-2024 Lions Club of the Year for all of San Diego and Imperial Counties and submitted to MD4 for consideration as a club nominee for MD4 Lions Club of the Year 2024-2025. Her club was also nominated for the 2024-2025 Medium Club Excellence Award.

She is both a Jim Ashcraft and Frank Rivera fellowship recipient, along with being an MD4 Student Speaker All Fellow. Finally, Dr. Yoe is a current and progressive Lion Ambassador for Lions Float Inc., Rosebowl Parade, Pasadena, CA; a float that is presented to the world each year with a Lions message of devotion, service, and dedication. She is a Lions International graduate of the Lions Leadership Institute (LLI) and Faculty Development Institute (FDI). Dr. Yoe holds a B.S., M.B.A., and Ph.D., and is an Academic Advisor for doctoral candidates, an adjunct university professor, an academic Guest Lecturer, community Keynote Speaker, and a private-sector business consultant on multi-dimensional projects/strategies.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Kai Chuen and Lion Betty Jean Young (in memoriam). As past Charter President, San Diego Miramar Lions Club, Lion Liz currently serves the Lion community as the MD4/4L6 Immediate Past District Governor (LY2025-2026) serving San Diego and Imperial Counties.