Advancement Ally - Kelly Kraus-Lee
Director of Development, Education & Policy, Development
1. What is your full name and is there a meaning or story behind it?
Kelly Kraus-Lee. I'm the Kraus half and my wife Rachel is the Lee half. I won't share my middle name because that's a security question and I don't want to get hacked.
2. Pronouns:
she/her/hers
3. How do you identify yourself or what is something you would like others to know about you?
I identify as a lot of things, but a big one is advocate. Relatedly, I'd like others to know that one of my biggest goals in life is to be a thorn in the side of my local elected officials. If they don't know my face, name, and wish they could block my number, I haven't done a good enough job advocating for my community. Sometimes I think I should've gone into government relations.
4. What is your favorite comfort food?
BRC burrito (for the uninitiated, that's a bean, rice and cheese burrito aka the stereotypical white girl order at a taco truck, but my excuse is I don't eat meat)
5. What are your favorite cultural or family traditions?
The Kraus-Lee family goes all out during Pride month. We live in the neighborhood that hosts the pride parade so that's always fun and we fill the month with other gay activities. This past June we saw Hannah Gadsby's new show and flew up to Berkeley to see Brandi Carlile with surprise guests the Indigo Girls. Words cannot describe how incredible that show was.
6. What is something people wrongly assume about you? (biases, stereotypes, ethnic identity, etc.)
Since I'm from Orange County, people make assumptions about me because of how my hometown has been portrayed on TV. My daily life is nothing like what you've seen on any of those terrible shows. As a white person living in a historically Hispanic city, the gentrifier stereotype is a common one. As an inter-racial lesbian couple we specifically moved to Santa Ana because it is a diverse and LGBTQ-friendly city, unlike other local cities we considered. To counter the gentrifier stereotype, I try to support businesses with deep ties to the community and to amplify the voices of longstanding residents and community organizations. And Rachel insists that when we sell our house, we won't sell it to someone who is going to use it as a rental property, even if it means accepting a lower offer.
7. If you could change/create any policy (campus, state or national) what would it be and why?
I'd immediately halt all freeway expansions and invest the money in efficient public transit and bicycle infrastructure. We share one car and rely on our bikes daily, but it's limiting and even dangerous in car-centric Southern CA. It's ridiculous that I live across the street from a major transit hub and yet I need a car to get to work and the airport.
8. If you could have any social justice superpower, what would it be?
I wish I could clap and immediately create class solidarity.
9. What is something you enjoy doing for others?
Baking from scratch
10. What is something that makes you feel most alive?
Running around on the beach with my wife and pup.
11. If two (or more) worlds (i.e. music, artists, clothing, movies, eras, genres) could collide/collaborate, what would you choose?
I actually got to experience a dream food collab recently: my favorite local spot Alta Baja hosted a dinner featuring Rancho Gordo Heirloom Beans with dishes by Carlos Salgado from Taco Maria, Arturo Enciso from Long Beach's Gusto Bread, and Evan Kleiman from KCRW's Good Food. It was a delicious meal featuring modern takes on classic recipes made with native West Coast ingredients on Santa Ana's historic 4th St. If you haven't had Taco Maria or Gusto Bread, they're far from Riverside, but absolutely worth the drive (pick me up on your way!)
12. What is something that should be free but is not?
Clean water. And adding avocado.
13. Which affiliations/clubs/organizations/hobbies have you been involved in?
I'm a volunteer grant writer for a local bike nonprofit. My hobbies include spending time with Rachel and our pup at our favorite park, reading, Peloton-ing, watching women's soccer, camping, paddleboarding, and exploring my neighborhood.
14. What makes you feel uncomfortable?
Making a huge mistake (anyone else an Arrested Development fan?)
15. What is your favorite thing about working at UCR or your favorite UCR memory?
Not exactly my favorite, but certainly the most memorable moment was on my second day of work when I finally got to sit down with the dean and he told me the campus was shutting down due to COVID. It's been quite a wild ride since then!