A new(ish) kid in town.
My husband, Patrick, and I were both raised in Ohio. We met in college and moved to Boston to start our lives together. When our oldest entered kindergarten, we grappled with how to provide the best education for our boys. That brought us back to Ohio for a few years. I joined the school board, Patrick coached soccer, and both of us volunteered wherever and whenever we could. But the draw of Boston - and professional opportunities - had us packing a moving truck and heading east again. In 2018, like so many families before and since, we chose Westwood because of the great schools and strong community. And thriving nightlife ;-) … just kidding, it was really for the fantastic schools and welcoming community.
Since moving to Westwood, Patrick and I are all in. He coaches soccer and basketball and taught improv comedy through Downey’s Mini Courses. I’ve served Thurston’s PTO executive board first as secretary, and now as co-chair, leading initiatives including Friday Night Fun, 8th-grade events, and other enrichment activities. I’m also a part of Inclusive Westwood, a group of residents passionate about making Westwood a supportive, safe, equitable, and inclusive town for all. I’m proud of the education my boys are receiving in Westwood and I’m committed to building for the future while sustaining our academic excellence today.
Professionally, I’ve spent the last 20 years in higher education at Harvard and MIT, helping my colleagues share their stories and reach their communications goals. By translating academic research into words the rest of us can understand, I help folks around MIT’s school of management tell their story. Every day, I see the end result: students who are relentlessly experimental, who challenge convention and tempt failure; students who seek out new, diverse perspectives, and who collaborate with respect and curiosity. Students like this come from places like Westwood.
Why am I running for School Committee? Here, we’re lucky to have exceptional and dedicated teachers, strong administrative leadership, and town officials who recognize and prioritize education - and a community that expects its students to reach the highest standards. But this doesn’t happen by accident. It takes thoughtful, careful stewardship, intentional planning, and transparent communication. School committees are facing challenges unlike any in our lifetime and addressing these issues requires courageous, thoughtful members who seek to listen, learn, and lead.
I’m ready for this challenge. I wouldn’t be running if I wasn’t committed to these values. If elected, I’ll bring my direct and transparent communication style and my curious and collaborative nature to work for Westwood. I promise to lead with compassion, agility, and intention in order to keep Westwood moving forward.
