Shaped by Service, Focused on Students

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“Every day is a good day when your two feet hit the floor,” my dad continues to tell me. I grew up in a household where the glass was always half-full; where having your health, a roof over your head, and food in your stomach were reasons to be grateful and give back. My mom grew up on a dairy farm, having chores in the barn before and after school; my dad put himself through college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute while playing collegiate football and working as a custodian on campus to pay for his meal plan. They would go on to start their own construction company, and my siblings and I were tasked with landscaping the buildings each week; my brothers would mow the lawns while my sister and I would weed the flower beds and trim the bushes. My parents made it a priority to serve their school community; my mom was the President of our Parent Teachers Association and led the building of our elementary school playground, while my dad coached football and basketball and served on the Board of Education. We spoke often about having one reputation in life; that your actions have consequences, and how you treat others matters. These references are the parts of my background that I lean on heavily and shape what I want to pass on to my three young boys: developing a strong work ethic, making smart financial decisions, and caring for others.

My husband and I, both CPAs, moved to Holmdel in 2016 and have “jumped right in” to the community, giving back where we have skills and passions. We coach youth sports, volunteer our time auditing our church’s financial records, and officiate high school varsity athletics.

Officiating has challenged me personally and reinforced the need to always show up prepared and engaged. I come to each game ready to set the tone and expectations, including sportsmanship and respect. Even during high-stress situations, I must remain professional and apply the rules fairly and consistently in real time. Without effective communication and fair play, an exciting game can turn disastrous quickly. Those same qualities—fair play, accountability, and trust—are essential to strong schools.

As I walk the streets of Holmdel and interact with parents, teachers, students, and taxpayers alike, my passion and energy for seeking election to the Board of Education grows. All individuals in Holmdel have valid and unique experiences, and I believe in hearing them all. I’ve enjoyed learning what is top-of-mind in our community: concerns, frustrations, what is going well, and what can be better. If elected, I will gather all pertinent information, weigh the facts, and give an honest view on the situation. I am comfortable leading teams, managing personalities, and collaborating to find middle ground and workable solutions. My goal is to reach consensus with parents, especially on opposing sides of an issue. By committing to being open-minded and eager to listen, I believe the best ideas and perspectives will have the greatest chance of being put into action.

The Board of Education is the “tone at the top,” and without leaders who will listen and do what is right, even when it is hard or unpopular, the entire system is at risk. I hope you give me the chance to be one of those leaders.

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