Lily Wong, a Chinese-American, is one of two Democratic candidates running for Township Committee this year. Lily holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Previously, she held roles in corporate finance, strategic planning and business development at Pfizer. She moved to Bernards Township in 2020 and serves on the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance, educating youth about addiction’s harmful effects. Lily has also co-founded a summer camp focused on hands-on learning in STEM and other areas and works as its program director. Her diverse background in public service, education, and corporate experience makes her a strong candidate for the Bernards Township Committee.
Q：What motivated you to run for our committee?
A：For me, the sense of community is very important. I moved to Bernards Township 3 years ago from Summit, where we lived for 14 years. Moving here during the pandemic was a very isolating experience because people were all staying at home and everyone was afraid to contact each other, leading to many of the activities and events in town being shut down. I believe that human nature has a desire to connect with other people. So after moving here, I went door to door, introducing myself to neighbors, trying to organize a block party. Later on, I started learning how to play pickleball which led me to connect with the pickleball community. One of the reasons why I’m running for township committee is that I hope to help our community be stronger and more closely knit. I would support developing more activities to enable that, just like the block party I organized. Ultimately, neighbors can get to know neighbors.
The other reason is I believe in representative government and when I found out that our township is made up of members of just one party, I thought it wasn’t representative of our town at all. People here have all sorts of different opinions on important issues so I’m hoping to bring a different perspective to the committee that could lead to better solutions for everyone.
Those are two of the reasons why I am running but the most important reason of all is my desire to serve our community. As I’ve mentioned in the past, my father, my sister and my brother were all very active in their community. That’s the environment I grew up in so that’s why I want to give back to my community. I’ve been incredibly lucky in my life, and now that I’m in a position where I can give back, I want to do that.
Q: So your family has made a deep impact on you and what you now want to do. What are some values or experiences that you had growing up that influenced you and your approach to trying to do good in the community?
A: So first, I wanted to tell you a little bit about my father and my mother. My father was, if you can imagine, someone who was very charismatic. So when I was a little kid, I would be in the living room and he’d be sitting at his desk with a rotary phone and he’d be calling the different members of our Chinese-American organization to get them to contribute to a cause or to get them involved in the community. Very importantly, he truly enjoyed it and loved engaging with people. The reason why he was successful was that he was not only charismatic and engaging, but he had a humble personality. It wasn’t about his ego, it was getting things done and making the community better. I learned a lot from him.
The other person who was very influential is my mom. By all standards in America, our family was very poor. We lived in a walk-up tenement building on the lower east side of Manhattan and then we moved to public housing. But I never felt poor because of how generous my mother was. If she had $5 in her pocket, she would give it to someone less fortunate. So that kindness, that empathy is something that has also helped me in my life to live a better life. The lessons I learned from her will also help me serve the public well.
Q: I see. So all of your family members have made so many contributions to the communities you lived in. Now my question is, how can you help youths, especially youths from the Asian-American community become more active and make more contributions?
A: Well, I think that for the same reason that my parents were the role models for my siblings and me, I hope that I am role modeling for my children and other youths.
Naturally, it is a bit scary to put yourself out there, to be judged, to potentially face defeat. But I think that this act of bravery and courage for the greater good will hopefully convince other people that they can do it, too. I hope they will think that “If Lily Wong can do it, I can also do it.”
Q: Can you explain some of the most pressing issues that Bernards Township faces, in your view?
A: Sure, there are many different issues. Luckily, this town’s administrators are very good at keeping costs low and not taking on debt. But unfortunately, costs are going to keep rising because of inflation. Since such a big goal we have is to keep down the costs, we’re not paying administrators in town as much as perhaps other municipalities. This makes it harder for us to keep experienced people who can get things done in town. To solve this problem, I believe that we need people with different skill-sets and perspectives in our local government. I feel that my skills will be very useful for this situation. I have a lot of experience with finance, accounting and business management so I believe that I can help our town address some of these issues.
Q: What do you think we can do as a community to try to solve these issues?
A: So first of all, I’m really excited to see that there are pockets of the community who are excited about issues and speaking out. I’ve been attending the Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings where people are very engaged. I’ve also been going to the Board of Education meetings, where there is a lot of engagement, unlike the Township Committee meetings where very few people show up.
I believe that the Township Committee needs to engage more with the public regarding upcoming decisions and better understand the issues that people care about so that we can better serve their needs. During the campaign launch, I mentioned that talking to people brings new ideas to the table. One frequent comment I hear is that there is nothing to do in our township and that there should be more activities and events like Charter Day to build a sense of community. Another person mentioned that in her condo development, there’s no way to charge an electric vehicle if she were to buy one. Another person expressed concern that our public parks don’t have defibrillators. If someone with a heart condition is walking around, they may feel more comfortable and safe if they are available nearby.
Those issues are just the tip of the iceberg as we’ve only been on our listening tour for three weeks.
Q: My next question is, what makes you unique compared to the other candidates running for the Township Committee?
A: First, I find myself in a very convenient stage of life where I can fully dedicate myself to this role, which requires significant time and commitment. My children are relatively grown, some in college and one in high school. Additionally, my business operates seasonally, providing me with more time to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.
Furthermore, as the child of a small business owner and a business owner myself, I possess a deep understanding of the challenges faced by local businesses. I aim to support and promote our businesses through various activities and events, offering them exposure.
I also bring a wealth of diverse experience across various disciplines. Initially, I worked in accounting, where I became well-versed in numbers and enjoyed analyzing financial data. I then pursued business school and subsequently spent nine years working in strategy, business development, and corporate finance. These skills will prove valuable in analyzing, assessing, and developing solutions to the issues we face. Moreover, being a business owner has taught me how to be resourceful and find solutions in unfamiliar situations. This ability to adapt and problem-solve is something I can bring to the table.
Lastly, my running mate, Ana Duarte McCarthy, and I belong to a minority group. As such, we are more attuned to the challenges faced by the minority. Having lived in a suburban Pennsylvania town where my family were seemingly the only non-white residents in, I have developed sensitivity and empathy towards the concerns of marginalized individuals.
So, what sets me apart is a combination of my availability, diverse experience, understanding of business challenges, analytical skills, and a heightened sensitivity to the needs of underrepresented individuals. I am happy to run on the Democratic ticket with Ana Duarte McCarthy, who also offers tremendous experience, insight, passion and dedication to service.
Q: Bernards Township is actually made up of 20% Asian-Americans. How do you plan to support people who experience discrimination or racism?
A: Prior to 2016, I lived in a sheltered bubble, pretty oblivious to the discrimination faced by others. I firmly believed in judging individuals based on their character and actions rather than the color of their skin. Looking back, I now realize how naïve that perspective was. However, in 2016, with the rise of social movements and the subsequent incidents of discrimination against Asian Americans, my perspective shifted dramatically.
Witnessing the discrimination Asian Americans faced during the pandemic was a wake-up call for me. It was incredibly hurtful and distressing to see news reports of people vandalizing property and attacking individuals in New York Chinatown and other parts of the county. In response, I took action and organized a rally with two friends in Summit, New Jersey, to speak out against anti-Asian violence. This marked my entry into political involvement. I also actively participated in Asian American rallies, aiming to serve as a role model, demonstrating that we must speak up against injustice, discrimination, and racism. We must gather and show solidarity.
Addressing discrimination against anyone, whether it is Asian Americans or other marginalized groups, requires speaking out and taking tangible actions. In my role on the Township Committee, I will not only use my voice but also advocate for policies and initiatives that promote safety, equality and justice. It is a deeply significant issue to me, and I am committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive community for all residents, regardless of their background, race, religion or sexual orientation. Collaboration and solidarity are essential, and I intend to work alongside others to make a positive impact in addressing any bias in our township.
Q: My last question for you is, what general message do you have for the Chinese-American community in our township?
A: During my canvassing efforts for the Democratic ticket last year, I had the opportunity to meet several Chinese Americans in our township. I observed that some were open, welcoming, and eager to discuss the issues they cared about, while others preferred not to engage. To those who may be hesitant, I encourage them to consider the power that comes with numbers and the importance of dialogue, discussion, and organization in affecting positive change and fighting against injustice. I am here as a resource and would be more than willing to assist them with any issues they may have.
Moreover, I believe that I am uniquely positioned to understand and address the concerns of the Chinese-American community. Education is a matter that I deeply care about. I strongly believe in providing students with the necessary skills and opportunities to thrive in the future. Additionally, as a fiscally conservative individual and a former accountant who experienced financial struggles in my own upbringing, I am committed to keeping taxes stable and addressing the economic pressures faced by our entire community.
To the Chinese-American community and the overall Bernards community, I want to assure you that I genuinely care about your concerns, and I am here to listen, support, and represent your interests!