I am a proud alumna of the Edgemont School system, having arrived as a kindergartener in the spring of 1981. I distinctly remember feeling immediately welcomed that first morning, and that sentiment has never changed. After 12 memorable years, I graduated with the class of 1993, and am beyond fortunate to be raising my three children alongside several of those very same classmates who I consider family.
Upon graduating, I studied political economics at The University of California, Berkeley, and received an MBA from The Wharton School, spending the first part of my professional career in investment banking and financial services. As my responsibilities expanded to include the large scale management and execution of business operations, I recognized that my tendency to invest in personal relationships led to tangible, meaningful value, such as increased information flow, an ability to strategize paths toward compromise, and the ability to keep lines of communication open amidst difficult conversations. When it came time to reassess the difficult balance between career and family, I found a more individualized fit in the mental health field and after graduating from NYU in 2016 with an MA in Applied Psychology, I founded a behavioral therapy group practice that I continue to direct.
In the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of engaging in meaningful discussions with fellow school board members, parents, staff, and administrators as we’ve respectfully debated topics that we all care deeply about. I’ve learned that our community members are smart, skilled, and eager to contribute, as evidenced by the collaborative efforts behind the Facilities Use Policy that prioritizes the well being of our students and community members while protecting the district’s financial interests, and development of the Gender Equity Policy that establishes unequivocal support for transgender legal protections as they relate to identity, access, and discrimination. I have similarly sat alongside fellow stakeholders as a member of the hiring committee, applying strong judgment and discretion in vetting candidates; and as a member of the Athletic Ad-Hoc Executive Committee in advocating for increased investment in the quality of our athletic programming.
I’m seeking a second term because I understand the issues that the district is facing, and recognize that effective governance requires the support, involvement, and confidence of the community and district staff through honest communication, transparent processes and genuine partnership.
If elected, my priorities for a second term would include the following:
- A deeper integration of community voices
- A commitment to transparency
- Overseeing the diligent rollout of the capital project plan
- A strong evaluative process for administrators that clarifies goals and incorporates supporting evidence
- Overseeing the development of a fiscally responsible and impactful budget
- The ongoing development of policies that ensure that our students’ educational experiences are optimized
As evidenced by my professional experiences and first term Board service, I am inherently motivated by change through collaboration. By methodically understanding the current state, questioning how well it’s serving us, and reaching shared alignment around better ways to move forward.