Editor’s note: This campaign statement was provided by Allison Anderson, candidate for the Village of Pelham Board of Trustees. The Pelham Examiner publishes campaign statements in the form received as a service to the community.

Dear neighbors,

I am thrilled to be running for the Village of Pelham Board of Trustees (VoP BoT). Although my race is uncontested, I want to take a moment to share my background, the skills and values I will bring to the role, and the priorities I share with the Board of Trustees.

I have always believed that government is a crucial means of helping people. My career has been dedicated to strengthening communities around the world, particularly by helping them prepare for and adapt to profound shocks and challenges brought by armed conflict and natural disasters. As an expert in disaster preparedness and emergency response in the education sector, I advise organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children on strengthening strategic coordination and services across complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. Working directly with communities and local governments in Kosovo, Uganda, and Sierra Leone (among other countries) has given me a strong foundation for understanding how leaders can most effectively serve their communities. Since moving to Pelham with my family in 2020, I have focused on putting my background to work for our wonderful Village. I am an active member of the Junior League of Pelham, where I lead efforts to improve sustainability and climate resilience. I volunteer with the Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams (EcoPel), have served as the Community Engagement Co-Chair with Pelham’s Council of PTAs (PTAC), and volunteered with the Prospect Hill, Colonial and PMS PTAs. I’m grateful for the many wonderful neighbors I’ve met along the way, and for the spirit of participation so common in Pelham.

As Mayor Chance Mullen outlined in his campaign statement, the priorities for the Village of Pelham’s Board of Trustees are clear: (1) flood mitigation through upgrading our storm drainage infrastructure; (2) the revitalization of our downtown; and (3) ensuring Pelham’s long-time sustainability, which requires a focus on the interconnected pillars of economic, social and environmental sustainability. I am proud of the Village of Pelham’s progress and achievements, and my commitment is to build on that success by strengthening our community resilience and deepening collaborative dialogue among the villages, town, school board and community groups. I feel strongly that good communication prevents many problems.

I am excited to help move the Village of Pelham forward and to serve you. Please remember to vote on November 4th; I hope that you will support me, my Democratic colleagues running for re-election in the VoP–  Mayor Chance Mullen, Trustee Mike Carpenter, and Trustee Don Otondi– and the entire Democratic state running for the Town of Pelham, Village of Pelham Manor, Westchester Legislature, and the County Executive.

Best regards,

Allison Anderson