Deep Roots in the Granite State

I was born right here in Concord and my story reflects the very best of New Hampshire. My mother’s family has called this state home for more than five generations, while my father immigrated from St. Lucia in the 90s in search of opportunity. They met on a stoop on West St. in Ward 6, and that dual heritage defines my love for this community.

Growing up in a low-income, working-class family during the 2008 financial crisis wasn’t easy. My mother worked as a mental health worker at the New Hampshire State Psychiatric Hospital, while my father worked as a landscaper and a line cook. Even with both parents working full-time, we still relied on state and local programs to keep the heat on in the winter, put food on the table, and ensure that my brother and I had reliable childcare. I know firsthand what it means to be working-class in Concord, and I know the profound difference a strong social safety net makes in the lives of everyday people.

The Power of Community Investment

Despite early economic challenges, my community saw a kid who loved to learn and decided to invest in my future. Through the Concord Friends Program, mentors opened my eyes to what was possible through education and hard work. With their support, I earned a full scholarship to St. Paul’s School and, later, a full scholarship to Dartmouth College. I was a pre-med student who earned degrees in biological sciences and Hispanic studies.

When I graduated college, I faced the same crossroads so many young Granite Staters face: leave for a city like Boston or New York, or stay. I chose to stay in New Hampshire.

Science, Service and Small Business

I began my career in marine biology, managing a Dartmouth lab investigating PFAS (forever chemicals) and how they contaminate our environment. Confronting the uncomfortable reality that these chemicals are in everything and everyone, silently compromising our environment and human health, transformed my academic interest into an urgent drive to effect positive change.

To scale that impact, I shifted to data science, using data to empower progressive coalitions, labor unions, and the working class. From helping local campaigns win critical elections to ensuring workers can fight for their rights at SEIU, my focus has always been uplifting everyday people.

My commitment to our community is also rooted in our local economy. My partner and I are proud Concord small business owners and run a local data firm. Navigating the day-to-day challenges of entrepreneurship gives me a first-hand understanding of what it takes to keep Concord’s economy vibrant and resilient.

Paying it Forward

Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life were right here in Concord. I am the person I am today because this community invested in me when my family needed it most. My brother and I had reliable childcare because of sliding scale fees and government assistance. We had three meals a day because of SNAP benefits. And the heat stayed on in the winter because of fuel assistance programs.

Now, I’m running for office to pay that investment forward and ensure that every family and local business in our community has that same opportunity to thrive.