I believe in a Brockport where community engagement drives our decisions, where our local economy thrives through sustainable growth, and where every resident—especially our youth—has a voice in shaping our village’s future. My approach to leadership centers on four core values:
I am running for Village Trustee because I am beyond proud to call Brockport home, and I want to transform my already copious volunteering into service that can have the greatest impact. As someone with a doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University, I see tremendous potential in our village that can be unlocked with the right leadership approach.
Now is the perfect time for Brockport to embrace positive change. As we emerge from challenging years, we have an opportunity to reimagine our community with fresh perspectives while honoring what makes our village special. I am, at my core, a change agent who brings people together to create meaningful improvements that benefit everyone.
“I bring people together to make real, lasting change — through empathy, strategy, and action.”
My professional background as a faculty member at SUNY Brockport for over a decade and my work as Director of the Higher Education Administration program has equipped me with the skills to navigate complex systems, build consensus, and implement sustainable change. My doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change has given me
practical frameworks for implementing improvements while respecting existing systems and relationships.
My approach to village leadership is deeply informed by my experience as a servant leader in numerous volunteer capacities. As President of the Brockport Community Connection, I coordinate essential resources including the food pantry, hygiene bank, clothing center, and warming center. Each Thanksgiving, I personally organize volunteers for our food distribution that provides holiday meals to over two hundred local Families.
My leadership extends beyond BCC to the Brockport Welcome Center, the Canal Celebration Planning Committee, and the Lions Club. On campus, I chair the Stomp Out Hunger campaign addressing student food insecurity, serve on the Student Conduct Board, and act as Deputy Faculty Athletic Representative supporting student-athletes. For example, when coordinating the BCC Thanksgiving Food Distribution, I bring together diverse stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and community partners, to ensure families receive not just food but dignity and respect. This collaborative approach directly translates to village governance, where building consensus while
moving forward is essential.
My connection to Brockport is both personal and deeply rooted through family ties. I’m married to Geremy Rheinwald, a proud Brockport native whose family has been integral to this village for generations. Geremy’ grandfather, Glenn Rheinwald, served as a longtime fire chief and created the Penny Saver, a publication that has connected our community for generations. This legacy of service continued with Geremy’s father, Gary Rheinwald, who was also passionately involved with the fire department. I’m also a proud daughter of a Marine Corps veteran and granddaughter of two Army veterans. This family legacy of service to country has instilled in me deep values of duty, commitment, and community that guide my approach to public service and leadership. When not teaching at the college or volunteering, my husband and I enjoy life in the village with our two Labrador retrievers, building meaningful relationships with our neighbors, and creating wonderful memories in this special community. These everyday moments have deepened my appreciation for what makes our village unique and worth fighting for.
While my professional credentials and community work are important, what truly drives me is my belief that leadership means service above self—a value I learned from both my family’s military service and Geremy’s family’s dedication to Brockport. I’m the person who helps coordinate hundreds of Thanksgiving meals because no one
should go hungry during the holidays. I’m the faculty member who advocates for students facing basic needs insecurities because education should be accessible to all. I’m the neighbor who believes our village thrives when we support each other. My students and colleagues know me as someone who listens more than talks, who finds common ground in divided rooms, and who follows through on commitments. My research on basic needs insecurities, community building, and leadership practices directly informs my approach to serving our village.
I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote. As Village Trustee, I will bring my experience as a community leader, educator, and change agent to build a Brockport you are proud to call home—one that engages all residents, creates sustainable economic growth, promotes tourism, and empowers our youth to shape their community’s future. Together, we can build a connected, supportive, and vibrant Brockport for all residents.
