Personal and Professional Background

Family Roots

My mother’s family has deep roots on the Cape, tracing back many generations. My ancestors settled in the area in the 1600s, and since then, our family has contributed to the development and vitality of the town. My great-great grandfather, Joseph K. Gould was celebrated as the master builder of his day. He constructed the house we currently live in as well as many other buildings in town, many of which are still standing today.

My great-grandmother, an avid painter of sunsets and gardens, was a pioneer among “snowbirds,” spending her summers here running a bed and breakfast, the Gould Homestead, and heading to Clearwater, Florida for the winters. I began visiting the Cape at age eight for short vacations, which evolved into entire summers here. I learned to sail at Namequoit Sailing Association where, as junior commodore, I got my first lessons in organizing volunteers. My father and stepmother were long-term residents of Orleans, played active roles in initiating affordable housing efforts, preservation of Crystal Lake and were major supporters of the Cape and Islands Chamber Music Festival. Orleans holds a special place in our family, and both of my children consider it their true home.

Professional Experience and Community

Engagement

My career has centered around the intersection of the public, non-profit and private sectors, with a strong focus on municipal finance and workforce development. Early in my career, I envisioned becoming a city manager so graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Affairs from Connecticut College. After earning an MBA from Columbia in public non- profit management, I served as assistant town administrator in Princeton Township, New Jersey. Later, I became a municipal bond analyst at Standard & Poors and and a vice president at Financial Guaranty Insurance Company in New York. Recognizing that the drive from NJ to the Cape was just too long, we relocated to Newton, MA and I joined the Conference Board. There I concentrated on advancing corporate community involvement and philanthropy focusing on how businesses could develop partnerships with educational institutions to enhance workforce development for underserved populations. Additionally, I was active in CAN-DO – an affordable housing developer in Newton serving as president for one year. I subsequently held positions at several major non-profit organizations – Jobs for the Future, Maher & Maher and the Society for Human Resource Management, where I developed programs for untapped talent, including apprenticeship initiatives. In addition, I have been a Senior Fellow and served on the Board of the Institute for Workforce and the Economy. Since retiring, I have joined the town Planning Board and serve on the Board of Water and Sewer and the Wastewater Management Advisory Committee. I am also the President of the Orleans Citizens Forum.

Skills and Qualifications

The experience gained from these roles has equipped me with valuable skills, including:

 Examining municipal financial statements

 Understanding capital planning and tax policy

 Collaborating effectively with a range of stakeholders, including volunteers, businesses, and community groups

 Implementing successful communication strategies

 Marketing new concepts

 Evaluating program effectiveness

These skills will enable me to serve both the community and my colleagues effectively as a member of the Orleans Select Board.