Why I'm running

We are at a critical point in our state and our country to decide - do we believe in fairness and opportunity for all?

Growing up, my family didn't have much money.

I went to inner city public schools, made it through college on a scholarship, and then went to night school while working full time to get my masters. I worked minimum wage jobs, starting at age 15. I struggled with student loans, and went without healthcare when we just couldn’t afford it. But my family taught me the importance of giving back to your community with whatever you have. I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today without supports like good public schools, a functioning student loan system, paid family leave, and a first time homebuyer program.

Now, with kids of my own, the pathways that helped me find a decent job and a home for my family are already closing for their generation.

The middle class has been eaten away by economic trends that individual hustle isn’t enough to overcome. I’m running to focus on the big picture, the structural problems we need to change to reopen those pathways. That includes bringing down the cost of housing, clean energy, child care, and basic health care. It means ensuring we don’t sacrifice decent jobs with benefits for the gig economy, or be replaced by AI. It means fixing the local budget crisis that is hollowing out our schools, parks, libraries and city services. And it means protecting our neighbors whose civil rights are under assault because of their immigration status or their identity. I’m running because I’m committed to building communities where everyone can thrive. 

City Councillor

In 2021, I ran for office for the first time because I saw the need for values-driven, strong local leadership.

I wanted to make sure our community remained a great place to raise my family. When I got elected, I got straight to work on the things I promised - climate action, road paving, racial equity, fiscal management, and more.

I have chaired the Finance Committee for four years, giving me a deep understanding of the financial “perfect storm” facing our cities and towns. Like most communities in the 5th Middlesex District, Malden had to ask voters to pass an override. Unfortunately, Malden’s override failed 49/51% in March 2026, forcing the city to consider dozens of layoffs and cuts to nearly every city service. This showed how much the deck is stacked against local budgets. We need leaders who will fix the local budget crisis at the state level, including addressing the broken “local share” portion of the Chapter 70 school funding formula.

Experienced Nonprofit Executive

I've served as the Executive Vice President of a national faith-based nonprofit since 2017.

As an executive officer of the Unitarian Universalist Association, I oversee day-to-day operations of 200+ staff and a budget of over $40 million.

In my time as Executive VP,  we have fought for our values in the courts, including by joining a lawsuit suing the Trump administration; converted unused office space to provide a temporary shelter to homeless families; restructured our internal voting and policy-making democratic process; and started a national, nonpartisan voter outreach campaign that now reaches 2 million voters every two years.

My professional background is in education policy, youth programs and school funding.

Before moving to the Boston area, I worked for the Ohio Department of Education as a budget and policy analyst on school funding and equity issues. I had started my career as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives. Then on the staff of the Speaker of the House, I helped pass a major education reform package, including a school funding overhaul. 

Parent & Community Leader

Sarah and I are raising our family here because we love the people and the values of this community.

We both grew up in Ohio, but moved to Massachusetts for jobs and school. My family also has deep roots in the North Shore, going back to Malden’s founding. Sarah is a leader who helped found Malden PorchFest and worked with Malden Neighbors Helping Neighbors. I volunteer with the Malden Warming Center. We want to give back with everything we can to help Malden continue to be a great place to raise a family.

Grounded in my personal experience and identities, I put equity and accessibility at the heart of my leadership.

I became one of the first multiracial city-wide elected officials, and have been a lifelong racial equity advocate. I’m also an out, non-binary transgender person who uses they/them pronouns. I became the first out transgender elected official in Malden history. Throughout my life, I have often been the first, the only, or the youngest person like me in my role, and I know how much representation matters.