Moving Forward Together — Steady Leadership, Strong Results.

#FORWARD5

I am deeply grateful for each and every one of you. From the moment you chose me as the top vote-getter in my first preliminary election, to 78% of you supporting my most recent bid to be your councilor, your trust, encouragement, and partnership have meant everything. None of this would be possible without your support, the dedication of my hardworking volunteers, my loving family, and my amazing friends.

When I was first elected at just 26, I became one of the youngest people ever elected to office in Pittsfield’s history. That honor has never been lost on me, and every day since, I’ve worked to live up to the confidence you placed in me.

For those I haven’t yet had the chance to meet: I was born and raised here in Pittsfield and proudly graduated from Taconic High School’s Academy of Business Management. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Westfield State University. While in college, I worked at Ben & Jerry’s on South Street, where I was promoted to store manager and was recognized as Manager of the Year—an international honor across 44 countries.

After college, I moved to Denver, Colorado, where I literally and figuratively climbed mountains. Ultimately, though, I felt the pull of home and returned to pursue additional schooling. When I began applying for professional jobs, I saw firsthand that wages in our region trailed behind other parts of the Northeast. While many of my friends left for Boston or New York, I chose to stay—because I believe in the Berkshires, in our people, and in the change we can create together.

 Delivering on Our Priorities

When I first ran for office, I campaigned on clear priorities:
• Invest in public education and technical training, creating a bridge between Taconic High School and local advanced manufacturers.
• Improve infrastructure—from roads, sidewalks, and bike paths to trains, broadband, and stormwater systems.
• Update zoning to protect the integrity of residential neighborhoods while supporting smart growth in our urban core.
• Strengthen public safety.

Together, we’ve made tremendous progress:
• Established a co-op program at Taconic High School, ensuring CTE graduates are directly connected with local employers.
• Expanded adult workforce training at Taconic to help residents gain new skills and move into higher-paying technical fields.
• Completed more roadwork in Ward 5 each year than any other ward in the city, over the past five years.
• Increased stormwater infrastructure funding to prepare for extreme weather.
• Supported the citywide fiber-optic study that led to a high-speed internet rollout.
• Expanded the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail into Pittsfield, with more extensions planned.
• Advocated for the Berkshire Flyer, connecting Pittsfield to New York City by rail.
• In the past five years, violent crime has dropped by 30%, property damage by 20%.
• Directed opioid settlement funds toward co-responder positions—so when someone faces a mental health crisis, trained support is there.
• Established the Downtown Creative District, a mixed-use area that encourages commercial growth on the first floor and additional residential units above.
• Expanded housing through ADU regulations and passed short-term rental rules to properly regulate Airbnbs, preserving the character of our residential neighborhoods.

Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

My first term coincided with one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime: the COVID-19 pandemic. Pittsfield faced one of the earliest outbreaks in the country. Guided by public health data, we managed the public health emergency. We implemented sewage outflow testing to detect outbreaks and manage our community response appropriately. Even with all the uncertainty, we passed a level-funded budget and kept city services moving.

We also took bold steps to support residents and businesses: creating a Small Business Stimulus Plan that provided $5,000 monthly to cover payroll and rent, while also offering relief for homeowners struggling with mortgages. Together, we weathered the storm and came out stronger as a community.

Driving Private Investment & Growth Post-Pandemic

Ward 5 has seen over $30 million in private investment, creating roughly 200 direct jobs.

My first campaign fundraiser was held at the old Bousquet. Since then, we’ve expanded water and sewer down Dan Fox Drive, giving Bousquet the ability to grow. Shortly after, we supported their mountain rebuild and the creation of a new sports facility across the street.

I was proud to help negotiate Lee Bank’s new branch on South Street—bringing not just a critical business to our ward, but also additional housing above it. I was happy to see Interprint undergoing another large expansion and all the current and new businesses that continue to grow in Ward 5.

Airport Expansion & Economic Development

Under my tenure, airport revenue has doubled, from $200,000 to $400,000 annually. Solar energy, a new taxiway, and a new city-owned hangar—another already on the way—are fueling growth. We’re planning further improvements like a realigned parking area and potentially a new terminal.

Most importantly, these projects create ripple effects. Contractors stayed at our Holiday Inn for months, generating lodging tax revenue and supporting our local restaurants and shops. Federal grants fueled this work, but the benefits are staying right here at home.

Parks, Open Space & Quality of Life

We’ve invested heavily in parks and conservation areas, ensuring Ward 5 has spaces to gather, play, and thrive:
• Clapp Park remodel was completed, and now we’re adding another upgrade—a new hockey rink.
• Osceola Rope Tow was repaired and is ready for volunteers (and snow).
• Bakerville Conservation Area’s parking upgrades were completed.
• Osceola and Lebanon Parks are in the design phase for full-scale renovations.
• Creation of Cadwell Woods Conservation Area, linking neighborhoods and green spaces with a vision of one day connecting directly to the High Road trail system, giving us the ability to hike from the city’s core into Lenox, Richmond, West Stockbridge, and beyond.

Council Assignments

• Community and Economic Development – Chair
• Ordinances and Rules – Vice Chair
• Public Works and Utilities – Vice Chair
• Traffic Commission – Council Representative
• Homelessness Advisory Committee – Council Representative

Professional Experience

In addition to serving as your City Councilor, I work as a Real Estate Advisor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Barnbrook Realty—one of the oldest and most successful brokerages in the county, proudly female-owned and operated. Berkshire Hathaway is also one of the top luxury international real estate brokerages in the world.

My professional background is rooted in business, operations, economics, and real estate. For over a decade, I worked as an operations consultant with organizations including Ben & Jerry’s, Main Street Hospitality, The Trustees of Reservations, and other groups—helping businesses run smarter, stronger, and more sustainably.

This past term, I was honored to be named a 40 Under Forty Award recipient at age 29, joining a group of young leaders recognized for their deep dedication to improving the quality of life in the Berkshires. The award highlights not just professional achievement, but also personal commitment to strengthening our community—something I remain deeply devoted to through both my work and my service on the City Council.

Looking Ahead

Ward 5, we’ve accomplished a great deal together, but our work is far from finished. With all the uncertainty in the world right now, we need strong, steady leadership more than ever. We may face federal funding cuts that could impact our nonprofits, delay infrastructure projects, and affect our schools.

Our continued focus will be on driving economic development, job growth, infrastructure improvements, and housing expansion. From bringing new businesses to our community, to ensuring our roads, broadband, and stormwater systems are resilient, to advancing housing opportunities that allow families to stay and thrive here in Pittsfield—these are the pillars of the work ahead.

As we head into the eye of that storm, you deserve someone at the helm with a steady hand and a clear vision forward. I am honored to continue serving as your City Councilor—and together, we will keep building a Pittsfield defined by opportunity, safety, and quality of life for all.

We are stronger together—and together, we will achieve greatness.