I work for the Financial Times, where I am the Director of Sponsored Content for a group of 11 niche online publications in the FT Specialist group. 

While my career does not directly relate to education, I believe my experience would prove valuable. At the Financial Times, I am a bridge between commercial and editorial teams, where I am tasked with satisfying the sometimes-competing interests of multiple constituencies, all within the pressures of limited budgets. The board of education similarly has to balance the needs of our children, their teachers and our administrators with the realities of budgets the tax impact on Hillsdale's residents. 

I also spent several years as a journalist, covering the boards of directors for large public corporations. I interviewed and reported on the considerations of board members who advise and support CEOs on behalf of a company’s shareholders. I learned the value of a good question and that outside experience can sometimes lead to innovative ideas. Difficult decisions are unavoidable, but maintaining a clear set of guiding principles can offer clarity in the murkiest of situations.

Hillsdale is a fantastic town with a strong school district. With the passage of the school bond and the upcoming construction of the new George White Middle School, our future could not be brighter. However, I also recognize that the project comes with challenges for students and staff, such as temporary classrooms and a divided fifth grade. The board must provide both oversight and insight to support Mr. Lombardy and ensure the project proceeds as smoothly as possible.