Doug Lebda, founder and chief executive of LendingTree, died at age 55 in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident at a family farm in North Carolina on Sunday, October 12, 2025; the company confirmed his death on Monday, October 13. The Associated Press reported LendingTree shares fell more than 4% following the announcement, underscoring investor shock at the sudden loss of the longtime leader. LendingTree’s official statement described his passing as “unexpected,” noting his role in building the online loan marketplace since its origins in 1996.
Following the announcement, LendingTree named Chief Operating Officer Scott Peyree as president and CEO, and appointed Steve Ozonian as chairman of the board, steps disclosed by business outlets citing the board’s decisions. Local coverage in Charlotte, North Carolina—where LendingTree is headquartered—corroborated the date of death and noted the company confirmed it occurred over the weekend of October 12. Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 to streamline consumer access to credit products, a platform that now spans mortgages, credit cards, and other loans.
