For more than a decade, I’ve had the privilege of building businesses alongside my wife, Laura. She has challenged my thinking more than anyone else, not by telling me what to believe, but by helping me recognize that leadership isn’t always about having the strongest position. Often, it’s about creating the conditions where the best ideas can emerge.
Growing up, I learned to view many situations through a highly competitive lens. Success as a man is often tied to projecting confidence, having the answers, and never showing weakness. Laura helped me see that while there are times when competition is necessary, lasting success is built through cooperation, trust, and a willingness to listen.
That has changed how I lead today. The starting point for better decision-making is in shared discovery, even amid uncertainty. I aim to help people feel comfortable sharing different perspectives, where listening comes before deciding, and where strength is measured not by certainty alone, but by the ability to bring people together around a common purpose.
Many women carry the responsibilities of careers, caregiving, and community leadership simultaneously, yet those experiences are not always reflected in public decision making. How will you ensure the realities women face are considered when making decisions that affect our community?
First and foremost, this would mean not speaking on behalf of women’s experiences as a man. To ensure the realities women face are considered, women need to be the ones at the table speaking to their reality.
Second is supporting decisions that reflect what was heard.
Third, women should judge the efficacy of the results compared to what was voiced. From that place, we can be much more certain that our public decision-making reflects these experiences and realities many women face.
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Rochester Women Magazine is committed to elevating the voices of individuals in our community. This candidate spotlight is part of our effort to inform and engage readers by introducing candidates seeking elected office in Rochester and Olmsted County.
Rochester Women Magazine does not endorse or oppose any candidate. These features are intended solely to provide voters with an opportunity to learn more about the individuals who have chosen to serve their communities through public office.