Grew up in public schools
I’m a first generation college grad, raised in public schools. I deeply understand what it means to rely on our schools for more than an education—their role in health and safety is vital to every community.
It was this experience that led me to work with educational researchers at the University of Michigan, learning the foundations of pedagogical evaluation and transcribing and coding a few years worth of high school math classes in the process. It also led to several years of work inside youth incarceration facilities.
I learned first hand that when you provide the right social and emotional support, young people are able to defy expectations and achieve extraordinary academic outcomes.
Today, I’m surrounded by educators. My spouse helps exceptional young people earn national awards in creative writing. My brother is an educational psychologist whose literacy programs were celebrated by the Obama administration and applied to schools around the world. My mother-in-law taught ESL in Rochester Public Schools for over 30 years, and brings endless insight into the unique challenges of multi-cultural education.
So, when I see an effort to undermine public education, I can’t sit on the sidelines. It’s vital that we protect and progress a system that creates lifelong opportunities for so many people.
Focused, strategic leader
Professionally, I’m a “strategist.” While my title has wavered between consulting, marketing, and “transformation,” my focus remains the same: use research and analysis to understand underlying problems, and make tough choices about where to focus resources to solve them. It’s work that spans contract negotiations and strong financial discipline.
With the MTA, for example, this involved working with state leaders and thousands of union employees to reset guidelines and give well-intentioned workers the power to be more honest with passengers about why their train is delayed. Or with Plume Health, now the largest provider of gender-affirming care in the U.S., it was about navigating political and regulatory chaos in places like Florida and Texas to ensure people maintain safe and cost-effective access to essential medical care. Today, it’s working with one of the fastest growing mortgage companies in the U.S. to make buying a home a lot more transparent, equitable, and affordable.
Committed to doing what’s right—and what’s needed
I value my work with and for the community. But as so many of us experience in a small town, I think it’s important to simply step-in and step up when there’s work to be done. No one else is going to do it for us, right?
For example, my only real experience with soccer was a few episodes of Ted Lasso, but when AYSO desperately needed coaches I signed up (and, turns out, I really love helping kids feel good about doing their best). When a Village trustee mentioned during a board meeting that only one person volunteered for the DEI committee that year—I put in an application the next day. Since then, we’ve progressed the group’s focus and remit to include new programs and services that make a real difference for people who live, work, or visit Croton.
Now, I’m looking to apply my personal passion and professional expertise where it’s needed most.
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What did I study?
After initially studying physics, I got a BA in English Literature and a minor in History at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. As a James B. Angel Scholar, my thesis was in media theory—ask me about how Detroit parents reacted to Pokemon in the 90s.
My professional path was sharpened by a series of incredible mentors, who steered me away from the conventional MBA and got me into game theory and strategic planning. Since then I’ve never really stopped going to school, where my coursework has spanned everything from data science and mathematical logic to graphic design and creative writing.
Why am I running?
Across the country, there’s a troubling movement to strip science, history, and even basic humanity from our schools. Here in Croton, we’ve already seen the impact: a big conservative law firm sued our district simply for following New York State’s educational
standards. The case is frivolous, but this kind of legal bullying isn’t going away. I refuse to stand by and let it
happen.
Why vote for me?
The next few years are shaping up to be tough on public education. Federal budget cuts are likely and there’ll be more pressure to move away from what 30+ years of science tells us gets the best academic outcomes for everyone.
So, the challenge for the board is this: (1) do better, with even less resources and (2) keep our kids safe, emotionally and intellectually, when there’s pressure to move backward.
Item 1 is about strategy—analysis, focus, and action. I’ve held leaders to exceptional performance outcomes in tight situations throughout my professional life, and I’ll do the same here.
Item 2 is about moral resilience. My commitment to you, as a parent, neighbor, and friend—I will never let loud-but-wrong politics hurt our kids.