Ann-Mara’s strategic perspective, Wharton MBA training, and experience in town government would be an asset to the board when discussing financial matters, making difficult decisions, and addressing challenges in our community. For over 15 years, she’s served Wellesley in a variety of ways: Library Trustee, Town Meeting Member, League of Women Voters Vice President, social action leadership at Temple Beth Elohim, Schofield PTO, Scouting and, most recently, advocate for attainable housing.
Beyond town government, Ann-Mara is the Vice President of Programs for the League of Women Voters of Wellesley. In that role, she has introduced programs that better connect residents to their town officials, educated the community on significant issues, and led the creation of the LWVW’s annual Election Guide. Additionally, she serves on the social action leadership team of Temple Beth Elohim and is an active member of TBE’s Racial Justice Initiative.
Ann-Mara got involved in town politics in 2006, in order to preserve our two branch libraries, co-chairing a successful fundraising campaign that re-opened the doors of these precious town resources. Today, the branch libraries have been reimagined as a children’s learning space and a cozy reading room - their futures secure. She has been a Trustee of the Wellesley Free Library for 13 years, supporting the creation of budgets, leading the strategic planning efforts, helping with the transition to a new library director, and securing town funding for the upcoming interior renovation of the main library, ensuring patrons will be effectively served for the next 25 years. Ann-Mara was also the liaison to the School Building Committee and participated in the creation of Wellesley’s Unified Plan. For the last 7 years, she has been a vocal member of Town Meeting.
Most recently, Ann-Mara founded the group Building a Better Wellesley with likeminded residents to be the positive voice for thoughtful housing development. She and her husband have lived in Wellesley for 25 years, raising two children. During that time, she has seen the town’s small house inventory vanish, housing prices skyrocket, the decline in the number of town employees who live in town, and the exodus of Wellesley’s seniors to Needham and Natick. Meanwhile, developers have held the town hostage with 40B threats. Building a Better Wellesley is working with Wellesley’s town government to address the housing challenges of living in our wonderful community.
Ann-Mara would like to bring her financial expertise, collaborative leadership style and passion for Wellesley to the Select Board.
