Sarah MacDonald has announced her candidacy for the Dedham Select Board.
“Dedham is an incredible town, with talented and passionate residents who care deeply about our future,” Sarah said. “I believe my experience, not only with the Board previously, but also my leadership experience and professional expertise in engaging stakeholders, building positive action and managing large, complex projects, could serve the town now.”
A previous two-term Selectman (2008-2014), Sarah highlighted her past contributions including adopting fiscal policies resulting in the town’s AAA bond rating, supporting the establishment of the Robin Reyes Fund for capital projects, revitalizing Dedham Square using both new infrastructure and an economic development strategy, and adopting a single stream recycling program in town.
Sarah stated that her experience, passion and energy will add leadership to a changing Select Board. Recently, both Michael Butler and Brendan Keogh announced that they will not seek reelection to the Board. Sarah noted her positive working relationships with remaining Board members – Jim MacDonald, Dennis Teehan, Jr. and Dennis Guilfoyle as well as other town leaders in numerous roles she has held in Dedham. “We all owe our deepest thanks to Selectman Butler and Selectman Keogh for their service on our behalf,” Sarah said. “I look forward to getting out to re-introduce myself to residents and building a shared vision for the future of our great town.”
As a member of the Board of Selectmen, Sarah sat on several subcommittees including the Master Plan Implementation Committee, Adult Use Overlay District Committee, and the Dedham 375 Committee. After her Board term expired in 2014, Sarah remained active in the community, including serving as a member of the Board of Registrars and as a Precinct 5 Town Meeting member.
Sarah is the Executive Director of Life Science Cares, a non-profit organization working with 150+ local life sciences companies on a mission of fighting poverty in Greater Boston. Prior to joining Life Science Cares, Sarah served as Executive Vice President at MassBio, the life science industry trade association, where she led policy, communications, events, and strategy of the 1000+ member company organization. Sarah noted that she leveraged her deep experience in running organizations and communicating with diverse constituencies to successfully bring people together in a collaborative and productive way here in Dedham. In addition to serving as Town Meeting Member, Sarah has served as the Chair of Dedham Parent Time from 2016 to 2018, and was a co-founder of Women in Democracy Dedham (WINDD), a non-partisan effort to engage more women in local politics and elections.
Sarah is a graduate of Hartwick College and has a Master’s degree from Northeastern University. She and her husband, local photographer Sean Browne, are the proud parents of 5-year-old son Griffin who is in preschool at the Dedham Community House.
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