I've served Fridley as a city employee, volunteer with the Fridley Creative Arts Foundation, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and now as a City Councilmember. I've also built a career in communications and community engagement, working with local and state government, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses.
Those experiences have connected me with neighbors from many different backgrounds and perspectives. They've also given me a practical understanding of how local government works, how decisions affect families and businesses in Fridley, and the importance of listening and considering the full impact of a decision before acting.
Public Safety. Ensuring residents and businesses can continue to count on responsive police, fire, and emergency services while maintaining the trust that keeps Fridley safe.
Fiscal Responsibility. Protecting taxpayer dollars with thoughtful planning and investments in infrastructure, parks, and services that improve quality of life.
Accessible Government. Providing clear communication and transparency while making it easier to participate, ask questions, and find the information people need.
As a Councilmember, I've worked to be accessible and responsive to our community. Throughout my career, I've worked with public servants, police leaders, immigrant families, educators, students, business owners, and nonprofit leaders. I'll continue engaging residents by showing up, listening before making decisions, responding to concerns, and making city information clear. We've made progress, but there's more to do to meet people where they are and make local government more accessible.
I've always been open and honest with residents, first as a City of Fridley staff member and now as a Councilmember, and that won't change. Transparency means explaining not only what decisions are made, but why they're made. I'll continue asking questions in public meetings, responding to residents' concerns, and taking responsibility for my decisions. Elected officials, city staff, contractors, and our partners should all be accountable for the work they do on behalf of our community.
I am the best candidate for this position because I have a unique mix of personal and professional experience that sets me apart from the others. I have spent the past nearly 20 years dedicated to public service, am a mother of three young children, have previously started and ran a small business in Fridley, and am currently a Pediatric Oncology Social Worker at a local children’s hospital. This mix has taught me how to listen deeply, bridge gaps, and find solution-oriented answers to complex problems. I am practiced in working with individuals, families, and systems to navigate challenging situations, collaborate on resources, and create change for policies and procedures that affect everyday people.
My top three priorities include Public Safety, Community Engagement, and Safe Streets. The impacts of Operation Metro Surge (ICE) on Fridley highlighted gaping holes in Fridley’s public safety approach and response to its residents. Additionally, Fridley currently has a contract for Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) that are a cause for concern for mass surveillance and data mining. As part of an approach to reimagining public safety, I will say No to ICE and No to ALPRs.
One of my priorities is stronger community engagement with all members of our community. As a social worker, I have years of experience working with and advocating for underserved and underrepresented communities. I intend to work with the city to implement equity tools to move diversity as a buzz word into true inclusion. I imagine a Fridley with greater access to language services, intentional engagement with neighbors, and stronger relationships with school, faith, and business leaders.
Transparency and accountability in city government is key to residents feeling trust and safety in their representatives. As a public servant, this is an important issue that requires a steadfast approach to responding in a timely matter, making meeting agendas accessible and timely, inviting public comment into decisions, and having the ability to change course when residents disagree with the city’s approach to a matter.
