Category: Uncategorized

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.

Nearly 14 years ago, my wife, Merissa, and I chose to move to Edgemont for the easy commute and the great schools. It was clear then and remains so today that families moved to Edgemont to raise their kids until those kids went off on their own with many staying engaged community members beyond those years. That instills a level of commitment to friendships, institutions, and sense of community that I cherish. I am very grateful for this opportunity to give back to Edgemont.

When we moved here my two youngest kids were not even born. They are now in third and sixth grade at Seely Place. Between Greenville Church Nursery School and Seely, their entire educational experience to date has taken place in just a few acres down the street from our house. I love how we have a small town feel in the middle of our enormous metropolitan area. My oldest daughter is a proud EHS Class of 2023 graduate having transferred in her sophomore year.

A few months ago, I was asked if I would be interested in throwing my name in the hat for the school board. With a sense of curiosity, I explored what was required to be a productive school board member – I spoke with past and current board members, members of the Edgemont UFSD administration and faculty along with our neighbors. Most importantly, I spoke with my wife who fully supported my spending multiple hours each week on this Board work. When I commit to doing something I give it my all, so it was important that I had a good understanding of the role along with my family’s support.

Since my days as an undergraduate at Wharton I knew I would go into finance. For nearly 25 years I have been a professional investor across many industries and countries. Looking back at what brought me professional success, there are several skills that I developed as a portfolio manager that will be vital as a potential member of the school board:

• I am rigorously analytical with a focus on hard data and benchmarking. Decisions regarding the education and development of our children are rightfully emotional so it is crucial to focus on facts and desired outcomes when making difficult decisions.
• I strongly believe that the “process” is critical in good decision making. Encouraging dissenting views, being as transparent as possible, setting milestones, and regular communication with all stakeholders are hallmarks of a good process.
• I think beyond first order effects. A short-term focus can result in long-term costs, and many well- intentioned actions can have material adverse consequences if not fully thought through.
• I have always worked in a team environment (including as a director of a public company) where collaboration was required as part of the process. I believe this results in better outcomes.

Although I am not a professional educator, I am a quick study who has profitably learned about countless companies in industries across the globe and will bring that skillset to bear. I understand what is required to be a positive member of the Edgemont school board and commit to working hard and acting with integrity on behalf of all stakeholders in Edgemont. There is no more precious asset than our children, and I am honored to have received the recommendation of the SBNC. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to pursing the work.

Mark’s LinkedIn

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Elyse Paidas. As we near the election, I felt it was important that the community have a stronger sense of who I am and what drove my decision to be part of this process. I’d like to express my sincere thanks to the school board nominating committee for their recommendation of my candidacy to the Edgemont School Board.

I come to you today as a proud mother of two teenage daughters—now in 8th and 10th grades at EHS—who began their educational journeys in Greenville kindergarten classrooms. This personal connection gives me a vested interest in ensuring that the experience of every Edgemont student, family, and faculty member remains as highly prized as the Portrait of an Edgemont Graduate itself.

In my professional life, I lead a diverse team of professionals—from data scientists and AI engineers to healthcare policy strategists and health equity experts—and my responsibility is to build strategic cohesion and innovative solutions within this multifaceted group.

At heart, I am a communicator. This isn’t just my professional identity—it’s my nature. I thrive in navigating complex realities and bringing outside perspectives in to ensure our decisions are contextualized, thoughtful and impactful. My communication skills will be a critical asset I’ll leverage heavily as a board member, both in articulating ideas and, more importantly, in listening deeply to the needs of our community, bringing them forward and in turn, reporting back to the community some of the nuance inherent in district decision making.

While board membership isn’t about advancing personal agendas, progress requires engaged members who embrace brave thinking and question established patterns. I deeply understand that identifying opportunities for evolution is just one part of creating change. True transformation comes when there is a shared understanding of the pathways required to make change happen and the collaboration it takes to turn ideas into realities. This perspective will inform my approach as we navigate decisions together.

My approach to this role centers on three principles:

First, curiosity. I acknowledge that board processes and culture are new to me, and I’ll initially rely more on emotional intelligence than institutional knowledge. I promise to be a fast study and to approach issues with openness rather than preconceived notions.

Second, collaboration. This position isn’t about personal ambition but about advancing what’s best for our district, students, and faculty. Effective collaboration requires exceptional communication and superior listening skills—both areas where I excel and will contribute significantly.

Finally, commitment. I don’t take this responsibility lightly. I understand the time and mental energy required, and I’ve deliberately structured my life to accommodate a role that I believe will return as much as I invest in it.

Thank you in advance to my Edgemont neighbors for considering my candidacy.