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’ve lived in Lexington for 14 years now, and have four children attending Fiske and Diamond. My other volunteer activities in the community include Scouts, coaching soccer, and chaperoning Big Backyard outings. Professionally, my background is in health IT product leadership, and I am currently doing pro-bono advisory work related to climate change.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I’m running for Town Meeting because I care about having a high-functioning, collaborative town government, and I am fortunate enough to have the time and energy necessary to engage the role fully. In my five years as a Town Meeting member, I haven’t missed a vote, and have been public and transparent in my thinking on the most difficult votes we’ve faced. Whether voters are passionate about zoning, high school funding, or leaf blower noise, my thoughts can be found on the TMM listserv.
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?
Professional product management largely boils down to two things: continuously negotiating across varied constituents who don’t report to you, and making the best decision available at moment in time with the information available. Town Meeting is an exercise in both. At our best, Town Meeting provides constructive feedback to the Select Board and standing committees, and applies a rare check when those bodies stray from key processes or are unduly swayed by loud, but narrow constituencies.