How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? I have lived in Westport for 18 years. We moved here from NYC shortly after my son was born – we needed more space! My daughter Aliza is 22 and my son Ethan is 18.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? After having worked as an Assistant District Attorney in NYC and taking a few years off from work when my children were first born, I decided to strike out on my own as a real estate attorney here in Westport back in 2005 and I have been serving clients in this area ever since.
In addition to my day job, I spend many nights these days supporting the Westport Board of Education! I joined the BOE in the fall of 2016 by appointment, taking the seat previously filled by Brett Aronow, and then was elected to my current 4 year term in November, 2017. My initial interest in the Board was piqued by my friend and former-BOE Chair Michael Gordon, who encouraged me to apply for the open seat. At the time, serving on the BOE appealed to me as a way to become more involved in and give back to the community. And that has certainly been true. Anyone who has been paying attention knows that serving on the BOE over these last several years has been unusually challenging. I often ask myself what else can possibly happen? But with each challenge I, and my fellow Board members, have taken a deep breath and gotten to work. I am gratified that at this moment the Westport Schools are on a good path with strong leadership and widespread community support. I would say the best part about serving on this Board has been the chance to meet and connect with so many more Westporters than I might have. I value the connections I have built with PTA parents, RTM and town Board members, and educators. In my experience, the more you put into your community, the more you get out of your community.
What is your favorite family activity to do in Westport or the surrounding towns? It’s pretty simple – beach dinner followed by ice cream at Saugatuck Sweets. Can’t beat that!
What’s your favorite app right now- for you- and for your kids? As I just took my son to college, I’m very grateful for Zoom, even though I
know most of us are sick of it at this point. I’m glad we can all get together no matter where we are.
What’s your can’t live without beauty product? Anything and everything that keeps my hair from fizzing in the summer! I especially love Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.
If you could pick one restaurant or store to come to Westport that isn’t here now, what would it be, and why?
Growing up in Connecticut, a highlight of every summer was dinner at a good old-fashioned fish shack – hot lobster rolls and steamers at a picnic table by the water. We don’t have anything with quite that vibe here in Westport and I wish we did!
What are you most excited about in life right now? This has been a hard time for everyone so I’m not sure excited is the word I
would use to describe my state of mind. I am just focused on remaining grateful for my blessings and trying to do something enjoyable each day like walking at the beach, conquering the NYTimes crossword, or connecting with a friend.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I am an avid paddleboarder and skier.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been? Having co-chaired the Westport Library’s Booked for the Evening fundraiser for over a decade, I can see that I really would have enjoyed being a producer! I love the teamwork and creativity.
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted – what would you do? These days I am fantasizing about a day in Paris, walking for hours along the beautiful streets, stopping into a museum, browsing the boutiques, and having a fantastic meal at an authentic bistro. Who knows when I will be able to do that again?
What is your most marked characteristic? I am a planner. I love to plan things. Anything really. This drives my kids nuts.
What was your most memorable family vacation and why? Over the summer before my daughter started college we travelled to Tanzania
on safari. I had dreamed of seeing the migration of the wildebeest ever since I saw a film about it in 9th grade biology class. The trip was special for so many reasons – we were the farthest we had ever been from home, in a place entirely unlike Connecticut, in a fascinating natural environment, which was all the more poignant as it was our final trip before my daughter left the nest. I would love to
go back if I ever get the chance.
What is the best white lie you have told your kids? When my kids were little I bought Jessica Seinfeld’s cookbook “Deceptively
Delicious.” The recipes were supposed to help you sneak veggies into foods kids would eat, i.e. cauliflower mac-n-cheese. It was not a success.
What is your proudest mommy moment? I am proud of how my kids have handled the losses from this pandemic. Of course, our family is so much more fortunate than many at this challenging time. But still, the losses to my two graduating seniors have been real. And while
there have certainly been understandable moments of sadness and a bit of indulgence in self-pity, overall, they have handled what life has thrown at them with grace and resilience.
What do you most value in your friends? Honesty, loyalty, intellectual curiosity, kindness, and a zest for life.
What is your greatest regret? I have always wanted to live abroad for a period of time. That has not happened yet, and now that Americans can’t travel anywhere, who knows if it ever will.