Lee Guekguezian is a passionate advocate for community empowerment and decision-making justice, viewing research as a powerful tool for storytelling and strengthening collective action. At the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, Lee directs three community-based research programs that leverage university resources to meet organizations' research and technical needs across the state. By fostering trust-based collaborations and aligning resources with community-defined goals, Lee has supported the creation of actionable policy recommendations, equitable resource distribution, and long-term partnerships that adapt to diverse and evolving needs.

Lee approaches research with a commitment to qualifying lived experiences rather than merely quantifying them, and they excel at translating complex findings into compelling, accessible narratives. Their skills lie in facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration, grounding policy and funding strategies in community knowledge, and using data visualization tools to explore spatial patterns of displacement, ownership, and investment. They approach research as a collaborative process, supporting communities in asserting control over their stories and shaping outcomes that directly impact their lives.

Outside of work, Lee enjoys biking around the Twin Cities, eating at iPho in St. Paul, and making rugs.