1) You were among the first of the Cleveland-area people to join The Matriots PAC, and signed on as a Founding Member. What about The Matriots’ work appeals to you?
Having attended a girl’s school, a women’s college and been on the all-female board of a hospital, I know how effective women can be. I was dismayed by the limited number of women running for office, even in 2018.
When I was introduced to The Matriots, I immediately felt they could be my proxy. They could sort out the abilities of Ohio women running for office, something I could not do effectually as an individual. The fact that they focused narrowly on Ohio and offered a range of support to candidates seemed to me a recipe for success over time.
2) You moved to Ohio several years ago from New York City, where you worked at Citibank. What is your view generally on politics in Ohio?
Politics in Ohio seems much more personal. New York City is so large that it is difficult to have an impact. Because it is predominantly Democratic, the action is usually in the primaries. In Ohio one often personally knows one or more candidates and there is a feeling that individual support can truly make a difference.
3) What are your observations about the differences between Cleveland and Cincinnati politically?
When I grew up in Cincinnati there was no Democratic Party. There was only the Republicans and the Charterites. My father ran as a Charter candidate one year. They needed someone to put on the ballot and, as a young lawyer, he agreed to do it. Of course he lost, but as a child I remember listening avidly to the tallies as the votes were counted.
4) You have a particular passion around the arts, have been a board member of Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, the founder of the Leadership Council at the Cleveland Museum of Art and now work on a larger scale through the National Museum of Women in the Arts. How does your work in the arts support your belief in women’s leadership?
Both MOCA and NMWA were founded by women and have had powerful women directors for many years. The CMA has a growing number of women in key roles and three recent major exhibitions featured women artists or were female inspired. Working with all three of these institutions how can I not see how much women can accomplish?
5) Now for something fun: Tell us about a family member, hobby or a personal interest.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a zest for travel. I’ve hiked the Annapurna route in Nepal, spent time in Bhutan, visited India multiple times, toured Europe, South America and much of Africa. Now I’m especially focused on family trips. I am traveling in January, with my two daughters, to Sri Lanka, and in February to Charleston for a long weekend. It’s a rare treat to explore new territory with them and see how they support each other. I’m fortunate to have this kind of fun in my life!
