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 was born and raised in mainland China and came to North America after college to pursue postgraduate studies in chemistry in Canada and the United States. My career began with my first pharmaceutical position in Boston, which brought my family to Lexington more than 20 years ago. Since then, Lexington has become our second hometown. My two sons grew up and were educated in Lexington Public Schools, and my younger son, Brenda, is currently a student at Lexington High School.
Professionally, I work as a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry. Outside of work, I am passionate about promoting youth sports—especially boys’ basketball—to encourage teamwork, resilience, and healthy activity while reducing excessive screen time. I am also an active advocate for public health and environmental safety, particularly raising awareness about lead in water and its impact on children’s health. Through volunteering, supporting local school initiatives, and participating in community discussions, I strive to contribute positively to the well-being and future of our community.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
I am running for Town Meeting because I want to help ensure that Lexington remains an affordable and welcoming community for long-time residents, especially seniors who wish to age and retire here. Many residents built their lives in Lexington decades ago, contributed to the town, and should not feel pressured to leave due to rising costs.
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?
I have served as a Town Meeting Member for over six years, and that experience has given me a clear understanding of how Town Meeting decisions directly shape residents’ daily lives. Through reviewing and voting on budgets, capital projects, and policy proposals, I have seen how changes in taxes and fees affect families, seniors, and small property owners across Lexington.
Throughout my professional career and community involvement, I have often engaged with people who hold opposing views on important issues. One consistent lesson I’ve learned is that productive dialogue begins with trust. I make a conscious effort to listen carefully and understand the other person’s position before responding.
I try to avoid emotional reactions, especially at the beginning of a disagreement. Instead, I focus on respectfully explaining my own perspective and the reasoning behind it. By clarifying shared goals—whether in a workplace decision or a community discussion—we can often identify common ground. My first choice is always to seek a practical compromise that addresses the core concerns of both sides.
At the same time, I keep an open mind. There have been instances when I later recognized value in the other person’s ideas and adjusted my position accordingly. I believe none of us has all the answers. We learn by listening, reflecting, and improving together.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
I am particularly concerned about the steady rise in property taxes and overall municipal costs. While Lexington is fortunate to have strong schools and high-quality public services, we must ensure that growth and investment remain balanced with fairness and affordability—especially for older residents living on fixed incomes and long-term homeowners who wish to remain in the community.
I believe the town could actively explore local tax relief options, exemptions, and stronger state-level advocacy to better protect vulnerable residents. My focus areas include finance, taxation, and cost-of-living impacts. I will continue to bring a practical, experienced, and resident-centered approach to Town Meeting, grounded in fiscal responsibility, transparency, and intergenerational equity.