2025 ELECTIONS
Erica Schwedel
Board of Education
Kate Brambilla
Board Education
Josh Kaye
Board of Education
Amy Murphy Carroll
BOARD OF SELECTMAN
Hilary Ormond
Town Council
Lina Lee
Town Council
Heather Russell
Town Council
Mike Rodgers
Town Council
Hilary Ormond
Hilary is an incumbent running for a second term on Town Council.
Hilary has deep roots in Connecticut. Her mother, the daughter of U.S. Navy World War II veteran, grew up near the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, where her father was stationed. Hilary's parents met at the University of Connecticut, where her father (and uncle) played basketball. After graduating, Hilary's father joined the Navy, fought in the Vietnam War, and retired after a 20-year career as a submariner and supply officer. The Navy brought Hilary's family to her hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia, where her mother has served for nearly 30 years on City Council. Local politics and public service are a family tradition.
Hilary graduated from the University of Virginia, has a Masters in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a law degree from Fordham University. Before moving to Connecticut, Hilary practiced law in New York City at the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP. She also clerked for the Honorable Joseph M. McLaughlin at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Hilary has lived in New Canaan since 2014 and is currently a stay-at-home mother of two children who are 12 and 9. Since moving to New Canaan, Hilary has volunteered in numerous ways, including most recently as the co-chair of fundraising for the construction of an all-inclusive playground at Waveny Park. Hilary also advocated for having cameras installed at Waveny Park and spearheaded the inaugural Pride recognition in New Canaan. You will often see Hilary at fundraisers for various charitable organizations in town, including: the Library's Literary Luncheon; the New Canaan Community Foundation's annual luncheon; teas for Blossom Hill; events at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society; STAR's Juneteenth celebration; and galas supporting ABC House, Waveny Life Care, and the Waveny Conservancy. Hilary is also a proud and longstanding member of 203 Action.
Hilary was elected to Town Council in 2021, and since then has worked hard on matters of the greatest importance to our town. She has consistently supported our public schools, library and other institutions that make New Canaan so special. Hilary serves as the Town Council liaison to the Affordable Housing Committee and as co-chair of the By-laws & Ordinances Committee, where she has worked on a bipartisan basis to draft and adopt various ordinances including those establishing the Affordable House Committee and re-constituting the Utilities Commission. She is also working on proposed action regarding the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and e-bikes.
Hilary hopes to again earn your vote in the election this Fall so she can continue to zealously represent the interests of the people of New Canaan as a productive and engaged member of Town Council.
TOWN COUNCIL
Lina Lee
Lina Lee is a New Canaan resident who brings extensive legal and leadership experience to her candidacy for Town Council. Since moving to town in 2023, she has developed a deep appreciation for New Canaan’s character, civic values, and strong sense of community. She is committed to preserving what makes the town unique while helping it plan responsibly for the years ahead—balancing long-term investment, principled management, and thoughtful growth that reflects the town’s priorities.
Lina currently serves as Executive Director of the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA), where she leads a statewide organization of more than 8,000 attorneys, judges, and legal professionals. In this role, she oversees the Association’s strategic priorities, including continuing legal education, legislative advocacy, policy development, and organizational governance. Lina is guiding the CBA through a milestone year—its 150th anniversary—by revitalizing operations, modernizing internal systems, and expanding programs that strengthen the legal profession and enhance its public impact. She led the CBA’s largest Connecticut Legal Conference since the pandemic and has launched new initiatives focused on leadership development, mentorship, and civic engagement.
She also serves as Secretary of the Connecticut Bar Foundation, which administers over $371 million in legal aid funding across the state. In addition, she has held appointed and elected leadership roles in several organizations, including serving as an appointed advisor to the Housing Court Advisory Council in New York City.
Prior to her current role, Lina was the Founder and Executive Director of a legal services organization in New York City focused on civil rights. She also spent 13 years as a practicing attorney and litigator, representing clients in complex matters and leading teams through high-stakes legal and policy challenges. Her work has spanned legal strategy, institutional partnerships, and systems reform—consistently grounded in sound judgment, depth of experience, and public service.
Lina has been widely recognized for her leadership and contributions to the legal field. She was named to the Nonprofit 40 Under 40 (2021), the Nonprofit Power 100 (2022 and 2023) by City & State New York, and AAPI Power Players (2024) by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro.
A graduate of Cornell University and Boston University School of Law, Lina brings a thoughtful, informed, and collaborative approach to public service—grounded in legal experience, institutional knowledge, and a commitment to principled governance.
TOWN COUNCIL
Mike Rodgers
Mike Rodgers is running for New Canaan’s Town Council because he believes in preserving what makes New Canaan special while planning smartly for the future. He’s not here with an agenda — he’s here with life experience, common sense, and a commitment to keeping New Canaan strong, connected, and uniquely itself.
Mike grew up in Chester County’s horse country. He saw farmland give way to growing development. His father served as the first selectman of his township and helped encourage long- time residents to greenbelt their land, preserving the rural character everyone valued. That shaped his belief in striking a balance between thoughtful growth and community preservation — a mindset he brings with him today.
Mike and his wife moved to New Canaan in 2002 because this town felt like more than just a place to live — it felt like home. Not a suburb, but a destination. Mike’s wife commuted to Manhattan for years as a top advertising consultant while Mike launched a home-based business designing and manufacturing housewares. Today, his products are sold online, in major retail stores and boutique hotels nationwide. Starting that business from scratch taught Mike how to prioritize, problem-solve, and adapt—all skills that translate directly to town governance.
In 2006, the couple welcomed their son Edward into their lives through adoption from Guatemala. Raising a child of a different background has given their family a broader perspective and a deeper appreciation for the importance of inclusion. It’s one of the reasons Mike became involved in local efforts to promote equity and understanding in the community, including serving on the board of a nonprofit that works to bring people together through conversation and education.
Ed graduated from the New Canaan public school system — from Rainbow Station through high school — and is now a sophomore at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Having gone through that whole journey as a parent, Mike has seen firsthand what New Canaan schools do well and where families could use support. He understands the pressures that young people and parents face today, and wants to help ensure that New Canaan remains a place where families thrive.
Beyond family and business, Mike has always believed in serving the community. Mike and his family are active members of the Congregational Church of New Canaan. Through the years, Mike has served as head usher, chaired the fellowship committee, taught Sunday school, and recently completed a term as a deacon. These roles have instilled the values of service, humility, and responsibility in Mike.
New Canaan isn’t just where Mike lives—it’s where he’s built a life. And Mike wants to help ensure it stays a town that honors its character while evolving with care. Mike would be honored to earn your vote and bring a practical, thoughtful voice to the Town Council.
Town Council
Heather Russell
Heather Russell is a dedicated community advocate and communications professional committed to preparing New Canaan for a vibrant, inclusive and "future-ready" tomorrow. With deep roots in community engagement and strategic communications, Heather brings both passion and practical experience to her candidacy for the New Canaan Town Council as a Democrat.
Heather's commitment to community began early in her career when she founded Houston Young People for the Arts, advocating for the cultural enrichment and civic participation of young people in Houston, Texas. She continued her community-building work with the Houston Downtown Alliance, promoting revitalization and community events that energized the city's urban core.
After relocating to the Northeast, Heather served as Director of Communications at The Windward School, where she developed strategic initiatives to enhance educational outreach. Currently, Heather applies her communication expertise in driving clarity and engagement within complex organizational environments.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Heather has lived in New Canaan for seven years with her husband, a Connecticut native, and their two daughters, ages five and seven, who attend New Canaan Public Schools. An active volunteer and working parent, Heather has taught Sunday School at St. Aloysius Parish and participated in the Junior League.
Heather's vision for New Canaan centers on proactive planning to ensure the town thrives for generations to come, emphasizing excellent schools, sustainable development, vibrant local businesses, and transparent governance. With a proven track record in communications, collaboration, and community leadership, Heather Russell is ready to help lead New Canaan confidently into the future.
Town Council
Erica Schwedel
Erica and her husband, Andrew, moved to New Canaan in 2010 and have two middle school children who attended West School and are currently enrolled at Saxe Middle School. Erica has volunteered for many New Canaan organizations and institutions over 15+ years. She was a Board member for the New Canaan Newcomers for five years, the Young Women's League of New Canaan for five years, the New Canaan CARES parent Board for two years and served on the West Elementary School Parent Teacher Council for three years, including as co-president for two years. Erica currently serves as a board member and the Chair of Governance at the New Canaan Community Foundation, the program lead for the boys 7-8 grade Squash Team, and a parent volunteer and webmaster for New Canaan’s Boy Scout Troop 70.
Erica is currently finishing a four-year term on the Board of Education, in which she is also Secretary of the Board. She serves on three Board committees, the Executive committee (3 years), the Communications committee (4 years) and the Facilities committee (since its inception 1 year ago). Erica also participated in the parent-led Dome committee to renovate the Planetarium at New Canaan High School.
Erica approaches her role on the Board of Education with preparation, commitment, and respect for the process. She attends all the meetings, comes ready to contribute, and asks questions that aim to strengthen the Board’s collective thinking, deepen understanding, and support transparency for parents and the broader community.
Erica 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. Her professional experience includes management consulting for PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM and Bain & Company. Her non-profit educational experience includes roles in development for Achievement First Charter Schools and grants management in Education for the Dalio Foundation.
BOARD OF ED
Josh Kaye
Josh Kaye and his wife, Megan, have lived in New Canaan since 2020 with their two children who both attend East School. In the fall, their son will be a fourth grader and their daughter will be in first grade. A product of public schools himself, Josh is passionate about public education. He believes New Canaan’s public schools are best served by a Board of Education that is balanced, practical, collaborative, and focused on driving excellence in our schools.
Josh has been a practicing lawyer for nearly twenty years, with most of his career so far spent as a litigator at a major New York law firm. In addition to representing clients in high stakes commercial litigation and government investigations, Josh’s practice included varied and extensive pro bono work which ranged from representing victims of domestic violence in family and criminal court proceedings to litigating civil rights cases in Federal Courts around the country including a case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2021, Josh moved to an in-house role advising underwriters on litigation and contingent risks. Josh is now Chief Counsel for Global Contingent & Litigation Risk at an international insurance company.
Josh is active in the New Canaan community. He currently serves as an appointed member of the New Canaan Board of Ethics and was elected Chair last year. Josh is also a proud member of the board of New Canaan Chamber Music and became Chair this spring. Josh has enjoyed coaching a variety of his kids’ sports teams, including, most recently, a delightful season coaching his daughter’s kindergarten softball team.
Josh holds a B.A. with honors from Wesleyan University in the College of Social Studies, and an M.A. in History and a J.D. from Duke University.
Board of Ed
Kate Brambilla
Since moving with her family to New Canaan in December of 2020, Kate has ensconced herself in the community. As Manager of Member Services for Staying Put in New Canaan it is Kate’s job to respond to the needs of our most seasoned residents. Her success in this role is, in part, because she cooperates with the myriad services the town has to offer: Lapham, the Library, the Y, Waveny, GetAbout, Emergency Services and Health and Human Services among others. Kate is running for New Canaan’s Board of Education because she understands that the educational system touches everyone’s lives.
Kate has served as room parent for her daughter, Adelaide’s, 1st & 2nd grade classes and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Community Outreach arm of the PTC for East Elementary where Adelaide is relishing her final year as a 4th grader. One point of pride in Kate’s role on the PTC is collaborating with Planet New Canaan to help introduce composting to East Elementary before statewide mandates come into place. Kate is also a member of First Pres.
Prior to moving to New Canaan Kate spent several years in Brooklyn as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the Brooklyn Family Court. Kate acted as liaison between judges, attorneys, youth in foster care, parents, teachers, CPS and Social Workers. It was Kate’s job to manage complex systems on behalf of youth and their families with the ultimate goal of stability. This was a volunteer role. Kate’s professional background is steeped in the Art world where she worked for Christie’s Auction House for 10 years managing high-profile and high-volume collections. Kate graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Vermont.
Board of Ed
AMY
MURPHY
CARROLL
Amy Murphy Carroll, currently a member of the New Canaan Board of Selectmen, moved to New Canaan with her husband John and familiy in 1996. All four of their kids attended NCPS.
Amy is a graduate of Cornell University, and earned her MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She had a 30+ year career on Wall Street in municipal finance. With this financial background, Amy was appointed to the NC Board of Finance (BOF) in 2014, and served for nearly a decade until her election to the Board of Selectmen in 2023. This experience provides Amy with an intimate knowledge of the Town’s finances and budget, including its short term and long term capital needs. During her 12+ years in town government she has severed as the budget liaison for the BOE, Public Works and Parks and Recreation. co-authored an exhaustive analysis of the Town’s building inventory submitted by the Building Evaluation and Use Committee in December of 2017, served on both the Saxe Middle School and Police Department Building Committees (with both projects coming in on time and under budget), was a member of the BOF Retirement Plan Advisory Committee and the BOF Debt Guideline subcommittee which developed parameters on the amount and use of bonded debt.
In addition to her town government work, Amy has been involved in many Town activities including St. Mark’s as a Member of the Finance Committee, and past chair of the White Elephant,. She has managed countless sports teams, helped launch Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) New Canaan and volunteered for Staying Put New Canaan. Currently she is Co-Chair of NC Rotary’s 40th annual Lobsterfest.
Board of Selectman