1. What is it that you love about Ann Arbor?
What I love most about Ann Arbor is the people and the sense of possibility here. This is a city with deep history, strong neighborhoods, diversity, and residents who genuinely care about their community. You can see that in our small businesses, our schools, our parks, our cultural events, and in the way neighbors show up for one another. I also love that Ann Arbor is a place where people expect leadership to think big. At the same time, many longtime residents are worried about whether they can still afford to stay here. I’m running because I believe we can grow and move forward without losing the families, seniors, workers, and legacy residents who built this community. My background in organizational leadership, community advocacy, affordable housing leadership, and public safety has allowed me to see Ann Arbor from multiple perspectives. I love this city enough to fight for the people who feel like they are being pushed to the margins of it.
2. What are the three most pressing problems that you care most about fixing? The three biggest issues I care about are:
Housing affordability
Too many working families, seniors, and longtime residents are simply being priced out by rising housing costs, taxes, and rapid development that often does not reflect the needs of everyday people. We must pivot our planning strategy by developing more of the neglected and underdeveloped zones, and identify the additional sites that can accommodate necessary growth without disrupting the historical character or vital connectivity of our current city neighborhoods. If we can prioritize thoughtful infill development projects of truly affordable units that align with the genuine, practical needs of everyday residents, we can foster a resilient city that embraces necessary progress without continuing to sacrifice or uproot the communities of families that have called it home for generations.
Public safety and community trust
As a Community Service Officer with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, I see firsthand that public safety is not just about enforcement — it’s about prevention, relationships, responsiveness, mental health support, and making sure every resident feels safe and respected.
Economic & Planning Inclusion
We are seeing major development and economic growth, but too many residents feel disconnected from the opportunities being created. People want to know: “Will my family benefit too?” We need investment that benefits all, not just some. Furthermore, we must shift our planning priorities away from the constant, whimsical reconfiguration of our roadways and toward the consistent, diligent maintenance of our existing neighborhood streets and downtown infrastructure. For too long, our municipal budgets have been drained by experimental projects and frequent aesthetic overhauls that yield little long-term value, while the foundational integrity of our streets continues to degrade. By pivoting our focus toward systematic repair and the stabilization of our current , we can ensure safer travel, extend the lifespan of our public assets, and provide our communities with the reliable, functional infrastructure they deserve rather than the disruptive cycle of perpetual change.
3. How would you go about fixing those problems?
First, I believe leadership starts with listening. The people closest to the problem usually understand the solution best. I would work closely with residents, neighborhood groups, small businesses, housing advocates, public safety professionals, and community organizations to build policies that are practical and community-informed. On housing, that means pushing for mixed-income development, stronger affordability requirements, protecting legacy homeowners from being taxed out, and expanding realistic pathways to homeownership. On public safety, it means improving communication between residents and city leadership, supporting violence prevention and youth engagement programs, and making sure our first responders and community-based supports work together effectively. On economic inclusion, it means prioritizing workforce development, supporting local entrepreneurs, protecting small businesses, and making sure city investments benefit longtime residents as well as newcomers.
4. Let’s say that your solution meets resistance or some part of your plan doesn’t work. What do you do next?
If resistance comes — and in government it always does — I stay focused on the mission, not the politics. Good leadership requires adaptability. If part of a plan is not working, I would reassess, gather feedback, adjust the strategy, and keep moving forward. I don’t believe in giving up on people because a first attempt falls short. The goal is progress, accountability, and results.
5. You are one of three candidates running for the First Ward this year. How do you think that Ward 2 voters should think of the difference is between you and your opponents?
I believe voters should look at who has the lived experience, community relationships, and practical understanding to represent everyday residents. My perspective comes from direct service to the community — through public safety and public policy work, affordable housing leadership, local organization board leadership & grassroots engagement. I’ve spent years working with residents who are struggling with housing insecurity, economic pressure, neighborhood concerns, and access to opportunity. I’m not running to represent only one segment of Ann Arbor. I’m running to bridge gaps and bring people together. I want residents to feel like they have someone at the table who understands both the challenges families are facing and the systems that need to change to address them. Ultimately, this campaign is about making sure Ann Arbor remains a city where people from different backgrounds and income levels can continue to live, work, and thrive. I am a candidate who is OF the people and truly FOR the people! I was born at U of M Hospital and raised right here on the Northside of this beautiful town and I have service in my DNA.
6. The way that we do politics in this country has been changing rapidly via Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Marjorie Taylor-Greene, Abigail Spanberger, Mikie Sherrill, and Zohran Mamdani. What are your thoughts on this decade + evolution in how we do politics in this country, and how has it changed the way that you approach running for office and delivering for the people?
Over the last decade, politics has become more immediate, more emotional, and more personal. People are demanding authenticity and accountability from leaders, and they are less willing to accept politics that feels disconnected from their real lives. At the same time, trust in institutions has declined because many people feel unheard, economically strained, or left behind while political conversations become increasingly polarized. For me, that means leadership has to be grounded in accessibility, transparency, and real community engagement — not just through listening sessions held early in the day and during work hours when hardly anyone is able to attend or only during election season, but consistently. Residents want leaders who will show up, communicate honestly, and stay connected to the people they serve. My approach is relationship-centered and focused on the residents. I believe local government works best when residents feel seen, respected, and included in decision-making. Whether someone agrees with me or not, they still deserve responsiveness and dignity.
7. The nation is at an extremely low ebb in democratic participation, trust in institutions, and feeling truly connected to a community. I want to give you the chance to make your case to AA Observer readers that you really care about them, and that you are the right person, with the right talents and strategy, to make meaningful changes that will improve their economic lot in life, safeguard the rule of law, make sure that they won’t be left behind, and that you can ensure their inclusion and dignity in Treetown.
I understand that leadership is ultimately about service, service to the PEOPLE. I know what it means to work directly with people navigating hardship, instability, and uncertainty. I’ve seen families worried about losing homes they’ve lived in for generations. I’ve seen residents who feel disconnected from local government and unsure whether anyone is truly advocating for them. What I offer is a combination of lived experience, professional experience, and community commitment. I know how systems work, but I also know where they fall short for ordinary people. I believe Ann Arbor can continue to grow while still protecting inclusion, dignity, and opportunity for longtime residents, working families, seniors, students, and young people trying to build a future here. People deserve leadership that is visible, accountable, and willing to do the hard work of bringing communities together instead of dividing them. I was “asked” to run by many in the community, not “picked” to run and I am committed to rebuilding the residents’ trust in the council by being present, listening carefully, and fighting for policies that improve quality of life in tangible ways — from housing stability and public safety to economic opportunity and neighborhood investment. You see, this campaign is about making sure people are not left behind as Ann Arbor evolves. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong here and have a stake in this city’s future.
8. Zingerman’s, Ahmos, No Thai, Fleetwood, or Le Dog. Where would you rather go to lunch?
Depending on the budget, probably going with Zingerman’s Delicatessen if we’re treating ourselves. But if it’s a tight budget that day, then definitely Fleetwood Diner. See, that’s part of what makes Ann Arbor special — you can find community everywhere, whether it’s over a legendary deli sandwich or late-night comfort food.