I grew up in a Chicago suburb very much like Summit. After my first year of high school, my father was unexpectedly transferred across country—twice in nine months. That taught me the importance of place and community roots.  I went home to the University of Chicago for college (where I was Phi Beta Kappa) and law school, eventually earning my Masters in Tax Law from Georgetown.

After practicing with a Chicago law firm, I joined the Treasury Department in Washington, DC, where I led a team writing regulations and rulings for small businesses and their owners. I also took courses in historic preservation and city planning.

I moved to Summit back in 1996 to marry my husband, David Dietze. Our kids were born at Overlook Hospital and went to the Summit public schools. Once our son was born, I moved from full-time legal practice to financial planning, first at Point View and eventually building and running the financial planning department at Peapack Private Wealth Management. I retired in late 2023.

When I first moved to Summit, I joined the Business and Professional Women’s Club, where I served as Treasurer and Second Vice President.  When my children were young, I edited the PTA newsletter and taught religious education. From there, my community involvement only grew. In the nonprofit sector, I have served as Board Member and Treasurer of the Summit Educational Foundation, Finance Committee member of Family Promise, six-year Board Member and head of Governance for SAGE Eldercare, seven-year Board Member and Treasurer of Summit Downtown, Inc., Finance Council Member of St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Finance Committee Member of Impact 100 Garden State, and President of the Summit Bar Association. As a volunteer for the City of Summit, I have served as Secretary of the Historic Preservation Commission (nine years) and currently have served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment since late 2020.

Since retiring, I’ve become more active with GRACE and Christ Child Society; I inaugurated Summit’s first International Women’s Day and am helping to plan SAGE’s 70th birthday festivities.

My professional and community service has been recognized.  I have been awarded the Boy Scouts’ Distinguished Citizen award, the Suburban Chambers of Commerce Silver Service Award, and NJBIZ’s Leaders in Finance award.

Volunteers can do a great deal in Summit, but they can’t do everything. As a volunteer, I have worked for additional support for our vulnerable and underserved populations.  As a volunteer, I have seen and advocated for changes we should make in our land use laws to preserve our historic fabric, drive smart development, and meet our affordable housing obligation. 

There is still much to do, from enhancing traffic and pedestrian safety to building environmental resilience.  I am running for Common Council because I want to leverage my experience to help make a difference and create lasting changes that will strengthen our community.