About Me

My husband and I moved to Hill East for its walkability and proximity to the Metro, but we have come to love Hill East because of the kindness and generosity of our neighbors. I am running for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner to help build community and advocate for changes that will improve the quality of life for all residents of Hill East.

I have a reputation for being a listener, a collaborator, and a creative problem solver. I am passionate about local government and have held a number of positions involving communications and constituent advocacy.

Strategic communications professional

I have worked in strategic communications for more than two decades – in a boutique graphic design firm, as a small business owner, as a communications director for a New York State Assemblymember, and at multiple higher education institutions. I currently work at the George Washington University where I support communications for faculty, staff, and student researchers.

Former local elected official

Shortly after graduating college, I started getting involved in activism and local government in Ithaca, NY. I joined the board of the Ithaca Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Task Force; co-founded a local Democratic caucus on LGBT issues; and served as a volunteer member of the city’s Rental Housing Advisory Commission.
In 2005 I was elected to serve on Ithaca’s Common Council. As an Alderperson, I focused on improving sidewalk accessibility and transportation infrastructure, creating lively streetscapes, and strengthening public access television. One of my proudest accomplishments was helping to develop a program that linked incentives for new development to the public benefits a project would bring to the community. The Community Investment Incentive Program (CIIP) reframed the debate over increased density in the city’s downtown core.

Former volunteer member of ANC2F Alcohol Policy Committee

Soon after moving to DC, I was appointed to serve as a member of the Alcohol Policy Committee for Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2F. ANC 2F includes Logan Circle and parts of Shaw, both of which have vibrant restaurant and nightlife scenes. It was in this capacity that I came to appreciate the role that an ANC plays in its constituents’ day-to-day lives. The Alcohol Policy Committee negotiated settlement agreements that addressed issues of outdoor dining, hours of operation, noise, disposal of garbage, rats, and queueing, among others.

Longtime volunteer tax preparer

After watching a documentary on predatory credit card practices, I got inspired to volunteer with a financial justice organization. I lived in New York City at the time and found a credit union that prepared free tax returns for low- and moderate-income families. The organization also helped these taxpayers establish bank accounts and connected them with financial literacy education and related services. Programs like this allow families to keep more of their paychecks and recover every tax credit and deduction they are entitled to. Since then, I have volunteered for similar programs everywhere I’ve lived, including the District. Community Tax Aid is a fantastic organization that provides these services in the Washington, DC metro area.

On a personal note