Bio

I have lived in Orange County since 2005 and have dedicated more than two decades to serving our community through public education, local government, and public safety advocacy. I am a first generation Asian American, holding a B.A. in Chemistry from Wellesley College, an M.S. in Computer Information Systems from Bentley University, and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Chicago.

I served as PTA President, Treasurer, and Secretary in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and spent ten years as a volunteer mountain bike coach at the local high school. Today, I tutor math at New Hope Elementary School, where I see firsthand the importance of investing in safe, well-maintained schools and ensuring every child has the resources needed to succeed.

After serving two full terms on Chapel Hill’s Parks and Recreation Commission, I gained valuable experience in public facility planning, local government, and community engagement.

I also served for seven years on the Board of North Carolinians against Gun Violence (NCGV), where I received the Effie Steele Memorial Award for my advocacy. In addition, I organized three Gun Give Back events that permanently removed unwanted firearms from our community.

Throughout my public service, I have learned that the best decisions come from listening carefully to residents, studying the facts, and building consensus whenever possible. As County Commissioner, I will work hard to expand opportunity, protect public safety, invest in our schools and infrastructure, and ensure county government remains fiscally responsible, transparent, and responsive to the people it serves.

Question 1

Being an Orange County Commissioner is a significant commitment of time. In addition to attending Board Meetings, there are Work Sessions and retreats. Preparation for meetings typically includes reading packets that can be several hundred pages long. Each Commissioner serves on 5-7 Boards and Commissions, most of which meet monthly. Commissioners also attend numerous community events.

Do you have the available bandwidth required to meet the demands of the position? What approaches will you use to balance the commitment required to ensure you are effective in the role?

Yes, I have the time, energy and commitment necessary to meet the demands of serving as an Orange County Commissioner. My part-time work as a math tutor at New Hope Elementary requires approximately 10–15 hours per week. Having recently completed my service on previous boards and commissions, I am prepared to make this role my primary public service commitment.

I understand that effective commissioners spend as much time preparing as they do in meetings. Carefully reviewing agenda packets, understanding the policy and financial implications of each issue, and asking thoughtful questions are essential responsibilities of every commissioner. I will approach this work with the same discipline and preparation I have brought to my previous leadership roles.

Equally important is being present in the community, listening to residents, collaborating with fellow commissioners and county staff, serving on boards and commissions, and attending community events are all critical to making informed decisions. My goal is to be a commissioner who is well prepared, accessible, and responsive.

Question 2

Orange County depends heavily on residential property taxes, while nearby counties such as Durham, Wake, and Alamance have developed larger commercial, industrial, retail, or employment-based tax bases.

What specific strategies would you support to diversify Orange County’s revenue base without undermining our environmental, educational, and community values so that homeowners are not repeatedly asked to carry the primary burden?

Orange County needs a more balanced tax base so homeowners are not expected to shoulder a disproportionate share of county revenues. New commercial development is constrained by access to water and sewer infrastructure. As a result, the Buckhorn Economic Development District is currently Orange County’s best opportunity for expanding commercial development and creating jobs. Existing infrastructure connected to Mebane can support near-term growth, while continued investment in infrastructure around the Hillsborough Economic Development District will create additional opportunities in the future.

Economic development must align with our environmental values, Climate Action Plan, and long-term strategic goals. I support attracting businesses industries in clean industries that provide high-quality jobs while protecting our natural resources. We should encourage responsible private investment without compromising community values.

Finally, we must support the businesses already here by expanding appropriately scaled retail to meet the needs of growing communities, continuing to invest in agritourism and local entrepreneurship, and engaging residents as these plans develop. Diversifying our economy means both attracting new employers and helping existing businesses succeed.

Question 3

Orange County supports two separate public school systems despite limited tax revenue outside of residential property taxes.

Would you support a study which gives consideration to a hybrid service model regarding the sharing of central office functions, transportation, purchasing, technology services, or specialized staff to reduce costs while maintaining or improving educational quality for all students? Please explain why or why not.

Yes. I would support a study exploring opportunities for the two school to share appropriate services, provided that the process is collaborative with them and driven by their individual school district’s needs.

Shared administrative functions—such as purchasing, technology services, transportation, specialized staff, or selected central office operations—may offer opportunities to reduce costs through economies of scale while preserving each district’s governance, identity, and educational mission. Any savings should be reinvested to support students and classrooms.

Before implementing any recommendations, I would also want a clear understanding of any legal or statutory barriers so that the study focuses on practical, achievable solutions.

Our goal should be greater efficiency—not consolidation for its own sake. If shared services allow us to direct more resources to students while maintaining or improving educational quality, they deserve serious consideration.

Question 4

Orange County faces a growing affordability challenge. Rising housing costs make it difficult for teachers, first responders, county employees, young families, and recent graduates to live in the communities they serve. This also contributes to declining school enrollment and places additional pressure on homeowners to fund county services through property taxes. Governor Josh Stein’s Executive Order No. 36 calls for increasing housing opportunities and affordability across North Carolina.

What specific actions would you take as a county commissioner to increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing while preserving Orange County’s environmental resources and quality of life? Where do you see access to water and sewer capacity fitting into your vision for the county?

As highlighted in the Commissioners’ March retreat, addressing affordable housing requires a unified approach to land use, transportation, and infrastructure.

To increase supply while protecting the environment, I support dense housing in areas with existing or planned water, sewer, and transit infrastructure. Another opportunity is partnerships with nonprofits to build affordable and workforce housing, with a particular focus on very low-income residents, alongside efforts to conserve existing housing stock.

We must also leverage publicly owned land. For instance, the school district-owned Glenwood Elementary site in Chapel Hill sits on 9.5 acres near CH Transit. Using land like this for publicly funded teacher and first responder housing is a win-win.

Because Orange County’s limited public water and sewer capacity constrains growth, infrastructure is central to my vision. I support utilizing rural neighborhood activity nodes—zoning hubs that combine housing and small businesses with self-contained water and sewer systems to protect the surrounding environment. Ultimately, we must align our economic development strategy, Climate Action Plan, and land use planning to ensure future growth creates both jobs and housing where they make the most sense.