my priorities
The future of DuPage County will be built through smart economic development, thoughtful collaboration, and a focus on sustainability and accessibility. These are the priorities I'll bring to the County Board on day one.
In 2020, my coffee company had a plan before the pandemic closures came. We rebuilt how we operated in a matter of weeks, kept our team employed, and shared every decision publicly so our community knew where we stood. I believe that our world is changing rapidly through technology and larger national shifts. We need to have leaders who are pro-active, bold, and ready to respond.
smart economic Development
Smart economic development revitalizes and enhances entire communities and provides the financial resources the county relies on to respond to neighbors in need. I'll advocate for tying economic incentives to sustainability and affordability goals, which will create long-term and equitable development for our community.
More than half of DuPage County's budget comes from taxing local businesses. $18M of that goes directly into the County's Community Sustainability Fund, which supports programs for food insecurity and first-time home buying initiatives. I'll focus on innovative ways to support local businesses that will strengthen our Community Sustainability Fund and ensure that we are able to meet the needs of DuPage residents now and in the future.
collaboration vs. competition
As an Economic Development Commissioner in Elmhurst, I've connected more than 1000 entrepreneurs across Chicagoland to networking opportunities and vital resources. As Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Innovation DuPage, I helped raise nearly $1 million in grants for new and expanding businesses and mentored dozens of small business owners.
On the County Board, I'll bring that same approach to local government. I'll work to align our towns around shared goals, regional planning, and the kind of creative partnerships that lift every community at once.
Transit accessibility
Transit and infrastructure are the bridges that connect each community across DuPage, and the two account for a third of the County's $660M budget.
I'll advocate for more reliable transit options and infrastructure improvements that will lead to higher workforce retention and increased accessibility to our downtowns and business districts. We can ensure that every generation, from our seniors on fixed incomes to our recent graduates just starting out, can build a life right here in DuPage.
Automation and AI are changing how work gets done, and District 1 will feel it early. Our district is one of DuPage County's largest workforce centers, and logistics, manufacturing and clerical jobs are among the most exposed. I led Brewpoint through the pandemic by planning ahead, and I'll bring that same approach to the County Board.
DuPage already has strong tools. workNet DuPage, the county's workforce agency, offers training grants of up to $10,000, and College of DuPage offers apprenticeships and credentials in high-demand fields. I'll advocate for using them earlier by working directly with employers to retrain people while they are still employed, so a changing role leads to a new one instead of a layoff. I'll also push for economic incentives that weigh the quality of the jobs a business brings, along with the revenue.