Table of Contents
— How many years have you lived in Winchester?
7.5
— Please describe your professional background and education.
B.S. in Foreign Policy (Georgetown University School of Foreign Service)
J.D. (George Washington Law School)
I’ve been a teacher, dishwasher, bouncer, factory worker, and more, but since 2012 I’ve been a litigator and a trial lawyer. I started my practice in a large, international firm and now work in a boutique where I handle everything from commercial litigation to whistleblower claims to municipal law.
— What Winchester town positions (appointed or elected) have you held, and for how long? What volunteer roles have you done that made a difference in Winchester?
Town Meeting: 2022-Present
Zoning Board of Appeals: 2022-2023
Select Board: 2024-Present
Other Roles: Cub Scout Den Leader, FAN Member
— Why should I vote for you?
In all of my roles, I have endeavored to understand all aspects of a question and find an answer that not only solves the immediate issue but also protects our long-term interests. This is incredibly important as we must juggle our financial position with the needs of our town services, schools, and infrastructure. I take great effort to speak to residents and understand their perspectives. Once prepared, I have not shied away from sharing my learnings with Town Meeting, both at the microphone and during informal caucus, to assist in a constructive and efficient discussion and government.
Town Meeting candidate-specific questions
— What specific methods will you use to gather and represent your constituents' perspectives on issues that come before Town Meeting?
Nothing is more effective than getting out and talking to people—something I have no problem doing. Be it when walking my kids to Lincoln for drop-off, joining in the Town Meeting Member Association’s forums, running errands or grabbing dinner downtown, or anywhere else, I always look to create opportunities to share what is happening with our Town with anyone I talk to and then try to get their feedback. This has only increased since being elected to the Select Board, and rarely does a day go by where I’m not reaching out for or receiving constituents’ perspectives on any number of issues.
— Transparency and communication are vital in representative government. What steps will you take to keep your constituents informed about Town Meeting decisions and to explain your voting rationale?
I am an open book and have never held back on explaining the rationale behind not only my perspective on an issue but also any other perspective that I competently understand. When discussions have occurred in public forums—at Town Meeting, Select Board Meetings, or otherwise—I’ve taken efforts to share the WinCam recordings so people can see and hear firsthand what is being said and done. Finally, when large issues start to arise—such as the recent vote on the CPA—I proactively reach out to friends, neighbors, and constituents through direct conversation and email to make sure everyone I can help is sufficiently informed before a decision is made.
— Town Meeting decides three major things: It sets the salaries for the elected officials, votes to appropriate money to run the town, and votes on the town's local statutes, which are called by-laws. How do you plan to evaluate and make decisions on budgetary allocations to ensure fiscal responsibility while meeting the town's needs?
As a member of the Select Board, this is a constant discussion. I am regularly updated by the Town Manager and Comptroller about our financial position. In addition, I am in frequent discussion with School Committee members about their needs, which consist of a large percentage of our budget. As part of these efforts, I have participated in “budget summits” that bring together the Select Board, Town Manager, School Committee, Superintendent, Finance Committee, and Capital Committee in an effort to create a wholistic approach to our fiscal planning. Consequently, by the time the warrant is published for Town Meeting, I have already been analyzing and discussing our budget for months on end and can bring and share that experience and education to Town Meeting.
