Doug Lebda
October 12, 2025
Founder, Chairman, and CEO of LendingTree
January 29, 1970 – October 12, 2025
Doug Lebda, visionary entrepreneur, devoted husband, proud father and loving son, passed away unexpectedly in an ATV accident at his farm that he had long dreamed of owning. It was a project meant to honor his roots and the family values that shaped his life. He was 55.
Born and raised in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Doug carried with him a deep connection to hard work, humility, and community, principles that would later fuel his success as the founder and CEO of LendingTree. His belief that “There has to be a better way” became both a personal mantra and the foundation upon which he built his company and his life.
Doug founded LendingTree in 1996 after a frustrating experience trying to obtain his first mortgage. He saw a system that was confusing, hazy, and often stacked against the consumer and was determined to fix it. His vision was simple but radical: create a transparent, digital marketplace where lenders compete for consumers’ business, giving people choice, clarity, and confidence in moments that define their lives. Whether it was to buy a home, consolidate debt, plan for the future, or simply to enjoy life, Doug believed that financial services should be readily available and understandable to everyone.
Under Doug’s leadership, LendingTree grew from a small startup into a trusted, national brand that has helped millions of Americans make smarter financial decisions. Over nearly three decades, he built not just a company, but a platform dedicated to empowering financial independence, bridging the gap between technology and trust. LendingTree’s success became a reflection of Doug’s deeper purpose — to help people take control of their financial lives and, in doing so, build stronger families and communities.
Beyond business, Doug’s compassion and philanthropy left a lasting impact. With his loved ones, he established the Lebda Family Foundation. Built on the pillars of upward mobility, financial wellness and innovation and entrepreneurship, the Lebda Family Rural Healthcare Program was its most recent endeavor. Expanding school-based virtual medical care to children in underserved North Carolina communities, the initiative has already helped thousands of students gain access to vital medical care. A reflection of Doug’s belief that opportunity and well-being should never depend on where you live.
In addition to his family's philanthropic endeavors, Doug also served on the board of the Atrium Health Foundation and The Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees. In 2023, he became a minority owner of his favorite childhood team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Doug was not only a pioneering entrepreneur but also a passionate educator and mentor. He frequently returned to his alma maters—Bucknell University, where he earned his accounting degree in 1992, and the Darden School of Business at UVA, where he completed his MBA while launching LendingTree. Even as his business grew, he remained committed to engaging with students, encouraging them to approach challenges with creativity, courage, and an entrepreneurial spirit. In the past few years, Doug focused on developing a school of entrepreneurship inspired by the theory of effectuation, a model of entrepreneurial thinking created by Dr. Saras Sarasvathy, whom he greatly admired. This vision reflected his enduring belief that entrepreneurship is a mindset that can be taught - driven by action, resourcefulness, and optimism.
Doug also found joy and purpose in his connection to the earth. His passion for fishing and regenerative farming/gardening represented both a return to his roots and an expression of his enduring desire to build, nurture, and give back in every aspect of his life. Whether mentoring start-up founders, supporting health and education initiatives, or tending to the soil, Doug embodied the spirit of creation and care.
Doug is survived by his loving wife, Megan, with whom he was about to celebrate 10 years of marriage, his beloved daughters, Rachel, Abby, and Sophia, of whom he was deeply committed to and proud of. Whether it was Rachel’s latest adventure at sea, Abby’s experiences at Clemson or Sophia’s success in school, his pride and love was evident in the twinkle in his eye and the smile on his face when he spoke about them. In addition, he’s survived by his parents, Bob and Judy (Trutt) Lebda, his sister, Missy Quinlan, her husband Conor, and their children Noah and Dylan.
To his family, friends, and colleagues, Doug’s greatest joy in life was seeing and helping others succeed. He will be remembered not only for his brilliance and vision but also for his warmth, humor, humility, and humanity.
A public memorial service will be held at 2:30 pm, Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Founders Hall in Uptown. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the LendingTree Foundation, Lebda Family Foundation or to causes that have a lasting impact and continue Doug’s lifelong mission to make the world a better place for everyone.
Livestream of memorial service: Livestream
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com
Comments
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Many years ago now, I remember watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and seeing Doug Lebda present a generous check from LendingTree to Ty Pennington for a family in need. As someone who went to high school with Doug and knew his kindness and drive firsthand, I felt immense pride that someone from our small hometown had achieved such success and made a real difference in people’s lives. Back in High School, I sat in front of Doug in homeroom where his kindness, intelligence, and unwavering determination set an example for many of us. His success with LendingTree is a testament to his hard work and forward-thinking vision, demonstrating that coming from a small town truly means there are no limits to what we can achieve. Doug’s life embodied perseverance, innovation, and kindness. His legacy will continue to resonate with entrepreneurs and industry leaders for generations to come. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and his loved ones. May they find comfort in knowing how many lives he touched and the immense impact he had. Rest in peace, Doug. You will be missed but never forgotten by those of us from the burg.
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Mr. Doug Lebda, was a valued member of our community and a steadfast supporter of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Doug’s commitment to public safety and his ongoing support for the men and women of CMPD left a meaningful impact, not just on our department, but on the entire Charlotte community. He believed in the power of collaboration between law enforcement and the community, and he stood behind our mission to serve and protect with integrity and compassion.
On behalf of the entire CMPD family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Doug’s loved ones, friends, and colleagues. His generosity, leadership, and civic dedication will not be forgotten. We are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.
— Chief Johnny Jennings
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department -
For all of us that were fortunate enough to have known Doug, especially those of us from the early years, it was a great pleasure to be around him. The dedication, the knowledge, the focus and the leadership all is what made Doug and LendingTree successful....and showed everyone the kind of businessman he had become. This was true even when he had to be away as part of the IAC conglomerate. Personally, he was always willing to help and accessible to listen. It's a sad time for LendingTree, the business community and Charlotte as a whole. My deepest, sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to Doug's wife and girls.
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I nannied for Doug’s girls when he first moved to NYC. Doug was always kind to me and was a dedicated, caring father. My deepest condolences to his girls and the rest of his family.
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Always had a smile was a true servant community leader
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I can’t speak highly enough of Doug, LendingTree, the bonds and friendships I made and how the experience shaped my life! I will forever be grateful for the opportunities that were given to me. May you rest in paradise good sir.
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I am saddened to hear about the loss of Doug Lebda. I worked for LenfingTree for 12 years and was a part of the team in the glory days of the company. Doug was always approachable, and he cared for his family of employees. He treated us like family, and I have never been employed elsewhere where I felt I was treated with the same level of respect. One story I want to share that encapsulates Doug's generosity is from a company outing to a Charlotte Knights baseball game, where not just employees, but our entire family was invited to attend. It was late in the game, and my son caught a foul ball. Naturally, my daughter was a bit disappointed that she did not. Doug saw this and immediately went to the team store and bought a ball for her. It was a pink ball, perfect for a girl. He came over to us, and said something along the lines of "Your Dad works hard and I appreciate all he does for the company", and then he gave her the ball. And of course, my daughter was thrilled but wasn't exactly sure what to say, so she asked him to sign the ball. And he did! She still has that ball, some ten years later, and she was the one who told me about Doug's passing. He made a lasting impression that day, and that's who he was. Doug was a kind, generous man, and we'll miss him.
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I did not know Doug well, but he was a giving mentor to my son. For that, I am forever grateful. Thank you Doug! Wishes of peace for you and your family.
Knox Tate -
Our condolences to the Lebda family. We didn't know Doug, but Bob was Rose's English teacher at Lewisburg and mine at Penn Tech.
God will hold you in his hands during this time of sorrow. -
I’m shocked to hear of Doug’s passing. Although I didn’t know Doug as an adult, I remember him as an enthusiastic fifth grader always with a smile and an appropriate quip!! My sincere condolences to his entire family.
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