Tributes have poured in for Doug Lebda, whose death in an ATV crash shocked the business and tech communities. Colleagues, friends, and family described him as an innovator who reshaped the lending industry — and as a man defined as much by his kindness as his business acumen.
“Doug’s legacy will endure through the company he built and the lives he touched,” said his wife, Megan Lebda. “He was an amazing man with a heart so big it seemed to have room for everyone he met.”
Lebda, who started his career as an auditor at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, founded LendingTree after his own frustrating experience applying for a mortgage. His goal was to simplify the loan process using the power of the internet — a novel idea at the time.
Beyond LendingTree, Lebda also co-founded Tykoon, a financial education platform for children and families. “All of my ideas come from my own experiences and problems,” he told The Wall Street Journal in 2012.
Company president Scott Peyree said he plans to honor Lebda’s mission: “Doug built a strong team with an unshakable vision. We will continue what he started — empowering people to make smarter financial decisions.”
Lebda is survived by his wife, Megan, and their three daughters.