Hi, I'm
Chonburi Lee.
I’m a husband, father, neighbor, and Maplewood City Council Member who believes public service begins with listening. I came to Minnesota as a three-month-old refugee, grew up here, and now have the privilege of raising my own family in Maplewood.
My journey has taken me through community organizing, economic development, nonprofit work, and project management. Those experiences shape how I serve today: bringing people together, finding practical solutions, and creating opportunity for the people who call Maplewood home.
My Journey. My Commitment to Maplewood.
Thirty-eight years ago, I arrived in Minnesota as a three-month-old refugee. I grew up in Frogtown and am a proud product of public schools. My family’s story is one of finding a home, working hard, and making the most of the opportunities in front of us.
When I was growing up, my father would drive us across town to swim at the Maplewood Community Center. Life has a way of coming full circle. Today, I’m raising my own children in Maplewood and driving them to swim at that very same community center, now the YMCA. For the past decade, this city has been our home and the place where we’re building our future.
Building experience by serving others.
My professional experience spans the corporate, nonprofit, and economic development sectors, including working for a Fortune 500 company. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals working to build something meaningful.
Much of my work in economic development has focused on helping people and organizations grow, overcome challenges, and find opportunities to succeed. I’ve worked directly with small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and individuals to strengthen their programs, improve operations, access resources, and move their ideas forward.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I provided one-on-one support to struggling small business owners as they navigated unprecedented challenges. That work continued beyond the pandemic as businesses worked to recover, rebuild, and position themselves for long-term success.
Over the past five years, I’ve also helped distribute more than $1.5 million in grants and loans supporting small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. But economic development is about more than distributing funding. It’s about understanding the challenges people face, connecting them with the right resources, building relationships, and helping create the conditions for them to succeed.
My experience has taught me that a strong local economy doesn’t happen by accident. It takes thoughtful investments, strong partnerships, and a commitment to supporting the people and businesses that make our communities thrive.
My career has also taken me through IT project management and organizational leadership. I’ve managed complex projects, worked with diverse teams, and helped organizations improve how they serve people. I earned an MBA and a master’s degree in Management Information Systems from Metropolitan State University, a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Hamline University, and graduate certificates in Data Analytics and Project Management.
Putting that experience to work for Maplewood.
Today, I have the privilege of serving on the Maplewood City Council, including as the Council liaison to the Planning Commission and Community Design Review Board. This work has given me a deeper understanding of the decisions that shape our neighborhoods, local economy, infrastructure, and quality of life.
I’m running for Mayor because I believe Maplewood’s best days are still ahead of us. My background has taught me that good leadership means listening carefully, understanding the details, bringing people together, and being willing to make the right decision even when it isn’t the easy one. I want to put those experiences to work building a City of Opportunity for everyone who calls Maplewood home.
People before politics.
Public service begins with listening.
Public service and civic engagement have been central to my life. I believe in the democratic process and respecting the rights, beliefs, and perspectives of others. Serving on the Maplewood City Council has deepened my responsibility to the people who call this city home. I continue knocking on doors and talking with neighbors because listening should not stop after an election.
Every voice belongs in the conversation.
Maplewood is shaped by people with different backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. I have supported affordable housing, more accessible transportation, transparent hiring practices, and meaningful opportunities for residents to help shape city decisions. We will not always agree, but I believe people deserve to be heard before decisions are made.
Opportunity is personal to me.
Growing up in Frogtown, attending public schools, and later working across business, nonprofit, and community-serving organizations taught me how access to opportunity can change lives. My work with small businesses, community partners, and grant programs has reinforced the importance of building pathways for people to succeed.
Building a city for every generation.
Maplewood has been home to my family for ten years. As a father raising children and a son caring for aging parents, I think about what makes a city a place where people can put down roots, grow, and age with dignity. What guides me is listening, doing what is right even when it is difficult, and helping create opportunity for everyone.
The person behind the public service.
My commitment to community started long before I ever considered running for public office. I've been actively involved in community organizing since I was old enough to drive. Over the years, I've served on charter school boards and nonprofit boards, and volunteered with organizations working to strengthen our communities.
One thing that has always mattered to me is making sure people who are often left out of conversations have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives. Communities are stronger when people have the opportunity, resources, and confidence to help shape their own future.
Communication has also been a lifelong passion of mine. I enjoy mass communications, radio, and television broadcasting, and I've volunteered with and supported community media efforts that share information in languages people understand. Access to information matters, especially for communities that are often overlooked by traditional media.
Outside of work and public service, I love fishing, hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors. I'm always looking for a good cup of coffee or tea, and I rarely pass up an opportunity to try a new restaurant. Most importantly, I enjoy time with my family, making memories with my children, and appreciating the community we call home.
These experiences have shaped how I approach public service. For me, community is about the people we connect with, the opportunities we create for one another, and making sure everyone has a chance to belong and contribute.
More than a campaign. A commitment to Maplewood.
A few moments from the community, conversations, and local work that make this city special.
“Maplewood is home. My commitment is to help shape a city where families feel supported, children can grow with confidence, and future generations choose to stay and build their lives—together as a City of Opportunity.”
Let's build Maplewood's next chapter.
Learn more about the priorities guiding my campaign for Mayor.
Explore My Priorities →