Tell us a little about yourself. You can include your personal background, family, outside interests that are important to who you are as a person and a candidate.
I grew up in Russia in a family of teachers and engineers with roots in both Northern Vikings and Southern Kazaks. I studied physics in Moscow with my husband, and in 1992, we moved to Cambridge for my Ph.D. in Geophysics at MIT. We then settled in Lexington, where we raised our five children in a neighborhood that feels like home.
I’m passionate about science and technology, especially sharing the excitement of discovery with kids and those around me. I love nature and animals and am fascinated by how things work and coexist. I wish I had more time for drawing, painting, singing, dancing, and team sports. But at least my dog, Mickey, ensures that I get outside for walks in the woods three times a day—giving me the chance to chat with neighbors and enjoy nature, no matter how busy or stressed I may be.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I want to increase the visibility of what’s happening in our town governance and bring more awareness to our neighborhood. As a Town Meeting Member, I see it as our responsibility to ensure citizens are informed and have enough time to respond in ways that can make a difference. Although I’ve lived in Precinct 5 for 26 years, it’s only now that I’m truly understanding how our town governance works. I recognize that many citizens are busy, and I want to help by sharing useful information that can aid them in navigating their lives or making decisions. I also want to listen to and understand other TMMs and their reasoning. I’ll share my discoveries, analysis, and concerns with them and participate in respectful discussions.
How has your past experience — whether in your professional life, elected office, or as a community leader — prepared you for a role in Town Meeting?
Every lived experience broadens your perspective, strengthens your resilience, and ultimately makes you more adaptable and open to different viewpoints, which in turn makes you wiser. At my core, I’m a scientist and engineer, and this shapes my analytical thinking and problem-solving approach. I’ve held various leadership roles in both research and business development, while also leading and participating in numerous initiatives for children. These experiences have allowed me to build relationships with three generations of parents over the past 26 years in Lexington.
I usually begin by finding common ground, and once we’re on a positive note, I listen and ask questions. With the right questions, there’s always a solution that both sides can compromise on or agree to. And sometimes, agreeing to disagree is perfectly fine too, as some things require quiet reflection, iteration, and continuous learning.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
The key issue for me in our town right now is reducing tension, division, intolerance, and frustration. A heated atmosphere like this hinders constructive dialogue and debate. Negativity doesn’t build trust or lead to solutions that address the concerns of citizens. I will do my best to ensure our TMM truly represents the community, so there are no surprises when the Debt Exclusion vote comes this December.
I’d like to share a text from my long-time neighbor and friend Mary Anne Lamar (with permission): “You and your family, both two-legged and four-legged, have brought joy to my life ever since I met you and little [my sons’ name] so many years ago. I am in awe of how you raise such delightful children, succeed in a high-level career, give so much back to the community, and laugh while romping in the snowy woods with Mickey.”