Democrats for New Canaan, sharing a passion to serve
The Democratic candidates running to serve on the Board of Selectmen, Town Council and Board of Education offer a range of professional knowledge, career success and know how that they will devote to benefitting New Canaan in numerous ways.
Many of them were inspired at various points in their lives by mentors, family members or political leaders who stood as role models for becoming involved in public service. For example, one was inspired by her frequent proximity to a noted Texas Democratic congresswoman. Another spent extensive time with family friends who always spoke about the importance of bettering the community. One of the candidates founded and led a New York City legal service organization focused on civil rights. Another did pro bono work for victims of domestic violence in family and criminal court proceedings. One of the town council candidates works with a New Canaan organization dedicated to enabling seniors to remain in their homes. And one town council candidate is the daughter of a 20-year Navy submariner and whose mother served on the town council for nearly 30 years.
Those legacy relationships are what guide the Democratic candidates. To them, it’s not about asking what New Canaan can do for them; it’s asking what they can do for New Canaan. And setting out to achieve it.
Board of Selectmen
Amy Murphy Carroll
Long before she was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2023, Amy served the town for nine years as a member of the Board of Finance. She brought with her to both positions her deep understanding of financial issues, having been a financial analyst at J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley, along with an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
She points to a deserved reputation for understanding the town’s budgets, and a deep knowledge of project capital costs. She was instrumental in moving key capital initiatives forward, including the long delayed capital improvements to preserve Waveny; the decision to finally take down the Irwin House, a structure not suited for town use first identified in 2017, and pushed for reasonable limits on the town’s contribution to the Coppo baseball field improvements. She drew attention early on to the need for capital improvements at the elementary schools and her expertise will be a valuable resource as the town considers decisions based on “wants” vs “needs.” In her first term, Amy has shown her expertise on budget and fiscal matters and as the town confronts the projections required by the acquisition of Riverwoods as it transitions from market rates to a mix of rental and marketplace rates, necessitating some level of town support, either an equity infusion, a tax abatement or other funding.
In any case, her combination of professional knowledge and town record has shown her to be the most fiscally responsible member of the Board of Selectmen.
Town Council
Hilary Ormond (Incumbent)
Running for her second term on the Town Council, Hilary is recognized for her deep knowledge of town government and as an advocate for transparency in budget deliberations. She has a law degree from Fordham University, along with a masters in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She also clerked for a U.S. Appellate Court Judge in the Second Circuit.
Her focus on budget transparency stems from wanting residents to have an early understanding of the ramifications of any proposed cuts so they can make their feelings known. She is a consistent supporter of the town’s public schools, library and the other institutions that make New Canaan an outstanding community. She serves as the town council’s liaison to the Affordable Housing Committee and, as co-chair of the By-Laws & Ordinances Committee, drafted various adopted ordinances, including those to establish the Affordable Housing Committee and reinstituting the Utilities Commission. The committee is currently considering ordinances regarding the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and e-bike safety.
Her other civic involvement includes serving as co-chair of fundraising for the construction of an all-inclusive playground at Waveny Park and spearheading the inaugural Pride recognition in New Canaan. Her biography on this site identifies the charitable town organizations she supports – and they are numerous. By serving on New Canaan’s Town Council, Hilary is following in the footsteps of her mother who served on her city’s council for nearly 30 years.
Lina Lee
After graduating from Cornell University and Boston University Law School, Lina now serves as executive director of the Connecticut Bar Association, a position that oversees the Association’s strategic priorities, including continuing legal education, legislative advocacy, policy development and organizational governance. She also serves as the secretary of the Bar Association Foundation, which administers more than $371 million in legal aid funding across the state. Prior to coming to Connecticut positions, she was the founder and executive director of a legal services organization in New York City focused on civil rights.
Now, as a New Canaan candidate for Town Council, she is committed to preserving the town’s innate charm, its civic values and its strong sense of community. Since moving to the town, she has focused on the issues before New Canaan, the discussion about workforce housing and ways to address the concerns about preserving the town’s character, not just for the present, but for the next generation. She believes listening to residents is most important, taking ideas and implementing a plan in a considered way with integrity. She also believes in preserving the town’s reputation for educational leadership, with a strong curriculum guided by experienced teachers. In budgeting, she favors having a strong, stable process that avoids large, last minute changes in the process.
Heather Russell
Raised in Houston, Heather demonstrated an early commitment to community by founding Houston Young People for the Arts, an advocacy organization promoting cultural enrichment and civic participation of young people. Heather’s interest in public service was sparked by her frequent contact through her father with the noted Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who upon her passing last year, was called “a trailblazing leader, and a tireless advocate for justice, equality, and the well-being of all people.” As an executive with Aramco, her father was also engaged in local civil rights walkathons and other civic organizations, introducing Heather to the value they provide their communities. In keeping with his example, Heather continued her community work with the Houston Downtown Alliance, an organization aimed at promoting revitalization and community events in the city’s urban area.
She seeks to apply her community advocate background and her career as a communications professional on behalf of New Canaan, preparing it for a “vibrant, inclusive and ‘future-ready’ tomorrow.” Heather moved to New Canaan seven years ago with her husband, a Connecticut native. They now have two daughters in the town’s elementary schools. She served as Director of Communications at the Winward School where she developed strategic initiatives to enhance educational outreach. She has also taught Sunday School at St. Aloysius Parish.
On the Town Council, Heather’s vision centers on proactive planning to ensure the town thrives for generations to come, built on a foundation of excellent schools, sustainable development, vibrant local businesses and transparent government.
Mike Rodgers
Mike was raised in historic Chester County Pennsylvania, where his father served as first selectman of his township. In that position, he encouraged residents to greenbelt their land, so as to preserve the rural character of the area. He also cites a neighbor family who frequently encouraged him to find ways to “give back” to the community. In his candidate bio, Mike says he believe in preserving what makes New Canaan special, while planning smartly for the future.
Since moving to New Canaan with his wife in 2002, he successfully launched a home-based business designing and manufacturing housewares sold online, in retail stores, such as Bloomingdales and Wayfair, as well as in boutique hotels. With that experience starting a successful business, Mike would bring his practical business perspective to the Council.
He and his wife welcomed a son through adoption from Guatemala in 2006. He believes that raising a child with a different background has provided his family with a broader perspective and a deeper appreciation for inclusion. That’s one of the reasons, he says, he became involved in local efforts to promote equity, pointing to his involvement in STAR (Stand Against Racism).
He recently completed a term as deacon in the Congregational Church of New Canaan and has served as head usher, chaired the fellowship committee and taught Sunday school, roles that he says has instilled in him the values of service, humility and responsibility. To him, New Canaan is where he has built his life and, as member of the town council, he wants to ensure it stays a town that honors its character while evolving with care.
Board of Education
Erica Breckner Schwedel ( Incumbent)
Having moved to New Canaan with her husband, Andrew, 15 years ago, Erica has been active in a number of New Canaan organizations, in addition to her position on the Board of Education, where she serves as secretary, and holds positions on three of its committees: The Executive Committee, the Communications Committee and the Facilities Committee.
Erica is known for the depth of her commitment to the Board’s work, preparing for its meetings and respecting the process to keep meetings productive. She makes a point of attending all meetings, comes prepared to contribute and adds questions that aim to strengthen the Board’s collective thinking, its understanding of the issues and enhance transparency for parents and the broader community.
Erica and Andrew have two children in Saxe Middle School, and when they were at West School, Erica served on the Parent Teacher Council for three years, including two years as its co-president. She also participated in the parent-led Dome committee to renovate the New Canaan High School’s planetarium. Apart from her leadership in education, Erica serves on the Board of the New Canaan Community Foundation and is chair of the foundation’s Governance committee.
She earned a B.S.E. in Operations Research Engineering from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Professionally, she was a management consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM and Bain & Co. In the non-profit area, she held roles in development for Achievement First Charter Schools and grants management in Education for the Dalio Foundation.
Josh Kaye
Josh, a product of public schools, describes himself as passionate about public education. In that sense, he believes the town’s schools are best served by a board that is balanced, practical, collaborative and focused on driving excellence in our schools. Echoing a theme expressed by the Democratic candidates, he also underscores the importance of showing up for the meetings prepared, on time and ready to address the issues. He and his wife, Megan, have a son about to enter fourth grade and a daughter going into first.
As a practicing lawyer for nearly 20 years, most of his career has been as a litigator in a major New York firm. But he devotes time to represent victims of domestic violence in family and criminal court proceedings and takes on civil rights cases in federal courts around the country, one made its way to the Supreme Court. In 2021, Josh took on an in-house role advising underwriters on risks as chief counsel for Global Contingent and Litigation Risk at an international insurance company.
In New Canaan, Josh serves as an appointed member of the New Canaan Board of Ethics and was named its chair last year. He is also a proud board member of New Canaan Chamber Music, and recently became chairman of that highly esteemed organization, as well.
He enjoys coaching several children’s sports, most recently, his daughter’s kindergarten softball team.
Josh holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University in the College of Social Studies and has an M.A. in History and a J.D. from Duke University.
Kate Brambilla
Since coming to New Canaan in 2020, Kate Brambilla, a Board of Education candidate, has taken a position with Staying Put in New Canaan as manager of Member Services. In that role, she helps the organization carry out its mission of making it possible for the town’s senior residents to remain confidently in their homes. As manager of Member Services, she works with various town organizations and services, such as the Library, Lapham Center, Waveny, the YMCA, GetAbout, Emergency Services and Health and Human Services to ensure senior residents have access to groceries, can make their doctors’ appointments and basically have access to most of what they need to remain in their homes safely and comfortably.
She said she is drawn to running for the Board of Education because she understands how important its role is in New Canaan, how it touches everyone. As a board member, she intends to focus on planning for the school system’s anticipated enrollment growth and to partner with parents to ensure every student has the best possible learning experiences in classes. She also intends to work on managing technology’s role in the classroom and managing expenses in order to provide maximum value to taxpayers.
Kate has been a room parent for her daughter, Adelaide’s, first and second grade classes and is co-chair of the Community Outreach arm of the PTC of East Elementary. In her activities for the PTC, Kate promoted collaborating with Planet New Canaan to help introduce composting to East Elementary before statewide mandates come into place.
Before arriving in New Canaan, Kate spent several years in Brooklyn volunteering as a court-appointed Special Advocate for the Brooklyn Family Court, acting as liaison between judges, attorneys, youths in foster care, parents, teachers and social workers. Her professional background is in art, where she worked for Christie’s Auction House for 10 years managing high-profile and high-volume collections. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Vermont.