Candidates
Victoria Powers
Bexley Board of Education
Central, Local
Victoria Powers is a 22-year Bexley resident, mom of two Bexley graduates, an attorney, a teacher, and a community advocate. With more than 30-years as a business attorney, Victoria has long served serve as a tireless volunteer for Bexley Schools, committed to the success of all students and ensuring excellence in a changing world. If elected, Victoria will work to expand partnerships and build new bridges throughout the community, focusing on greater transparency and fiscal responsibility.
In 2020 Victoria will begin her work as a Bexley Board of Education Member.
Meet the Candidate
Can you tell our members a little bit about your journey to filing as a candidate?
I was not able to be at the Women’s March on Washington. But seeing and feeling the energy of that day, which has continued through the Matriots, inspired me to be one of the Matriots’ first founder contributors and helped to solidify my desire to dive more deeply into community service. I had never planned to run for elected office, but the combination of my background as the daughter and partner of educators, and my many years serving on the boards of the Bexley Education Foundation, the Columbus Montessori Education Center, and other organizations, led me to recognize that I could bring significant experience and knowledge to the Bexley Board of Education. Although I have campaigned for a number of candidates over the years, campaigning for myself is a vastly different experience! To my surprise, I am enjoying almost every aspect of this new journey.
Tell our members about a friend or family member who inspired you to become a leader.
My 92-year old mother is among the strongest people I know, and she has inspired me my entire life. She is a dynamic, insightful, and engaged person whose leadership, knowledge, and guidance are sought out and valued by her community as well as her many friends and family, perhaps nowhere more importantly than by her seven grandsons.
Some of you are military veterans, some small business owners, some professionals, some mothers and grandmothers, some homemakers. How did one of these experiences shape who you are as a person and leader?
I have had a 31-year career as a financial restructuring attorney and have logged, to date, over 60 years of service on community boards and organizations. These experiences have afforded me many opportunities to lead, and through them I have learned to ask hard questions, listen actively, work collaboratively, think strategically, and build and implement solutions. Leadership is not about knowing all the answers, but about working with others to find new paths forward.
The Matriots PAC has a goal to see 50% of all elected offices in Ohio held by women by 2028. What is your vision for Ohio in 2028?
I am proud that in my community we have a school board that is more than 50% women, as well as a city council that is led by a woman and currently has three strong women members. My vision for 2028 is to have fostered a learning environment where girls and boys are equally empowered to run for elected office as a result of their educational experiences and strong role models.
Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” What are the top-two issues your community or our state face today?
In our schools, two critical issues we face are student wellness and equity in education for each learner. These are both local and national issues, and we can address them in our own communities as well as through nationwide efforts. I am optimistic that the Bexley school district can become a leader in making student wellness a constant focus; in valuing and supporting multiple paths to a successful future for our children; in striving to ensure that the diversity of our teachers, staff, and administration reflects the diversity of our student body; in providing full support to our special education learners; and in being at the heart of a supportive community that helps to achieve these goals through partnerships with the schools and our students.
Tell us something personal about yourself.
These days, I’m so grateful to be able to take time out of most days for a run. Getting out for a run helps to keep me grounded, and I find that I do my best thinking when I’m running. I am currently running with the Ulman Foundation as part of their Cancer to 5K program. What a great way to join together in two of my favorite activities – running and supporting people who are taking back their lives from cancer!