Charlotte memorial service for LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda open to the public
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- Public memorial for LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda will occur Oct. 19 in Charlotte.
- Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 to simplify loan shopping and empower consumers.
- He supported rural healthcare and education through family philanthropy and boards.
A memorial service for LendingTree CEO and chairman Doug Lebda is set for Sunday in Charlotte, according to his obituary released on Wednesday.
The public service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Founders Hall in uptown Charlotte, according to his obituary at Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service.
Lebda was the founder of the Charlotte-based fintech, where borrowers can browse loans from multiple providers including credit cards, mortgages or personal loans.
“He will be remembered not only for his brilliance and vision but also for his warmth, humor, humility and humanity,” his obituary said.
Lebda died Oct. 12, in an ATV accident, LendingTree said Monday. He was killed at his farm that he had long dreamed of owning, his obituary said. Lebda was 55.
Lebda enjoyed fishing and regenerative farming and gardening, “an expression of his enduring desire to build, nurture and give back in every aspect of his life,” his obituary said.
Lebda bought the 227-acre Polk County property on July 22 for $2.75 million, according to county records. It was purchased under Lebda Land Holdings LLC with LendingTree’s address, records show.
‘A better way’
A Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, native, Lebda’s personal and business mantra was, “There has to be a better way.”
He launched LendingTree in 1996 after a frustrating experience trying to secure his first mortgage, finding it confusing and stacked against the consumer.
“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,” his obituary said.
Lebda also supported local communities through his philanthropic work, including the Lebda Family Foundation and Lebda Family Rural Healthcare Program, which has helped thousands of students gain access to medical care in underserved North Carolina communities, his obituary stated.
Lebda 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.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bucknell University and MBA from Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia while launching LendingTree. He returned to the school as a mentor to encourage students to approach challenges with creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit, Lebda’s obituary said.
Lebda is survived by his wife of nearly 10 years, Megan; daughters Rachel, Abby and Sophia; parents Bob and Judy Lebda; sister Missy Quinlan and spouse Conor; and nephew Noah and niece Dylan.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the LendingTree Foundation, the Lebda Family Foundation or to other causes that have a lasting impact.
Messages on the obituary Wednesday shared personal stories of Lebda and condolences.
“Doug was a good friend and amazing person who made the most with the time he had here. He will be missed by many,” Matt Miller said.
“I’ll never forget my time serving at LendingTree. Doug made it a special place to work. He was full of grace and good humor,” Gardner Anderson said. “God bless Doug and his family!”
The Darden School also issued a statement mourning Lebda’s death, saying, “Doug was a shining example of the Darden entrepreneurial spirit.”
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Charlotte memorial service for LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda open to the public."
