At its meeting on March 19, 2025 the Edgemont School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) voted to recommend Mark Fleischhauer, Grace Lin, and Elyse Margolis Paidas for election to the Edgemont school board. The SBNC process is designed to encourage qualified residents to make themselves available to serve on the school board and to implement a fair and judicious means for evaluating and recommending candidates. The nominating committee consists of residents from each of the community’s neighborhoods, as well as a student representative from Edgemont High School. The SBNC met between October 2024 and March 2025, attending school board meetings and gathering input from the community to ensure a comprehensive and thoughtful process.
Mark Fleischhauer is a seasoned finance professional, community volunteer, and longtime Edgemont resident seeking his first term on the Edgemont Board of Education. A graduate of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Mark has spent nearly two decades in financial services, most recently as a partner at Owl Creek Asset Management. He now serves on the Board of Directors of Anterix Inc., where he chairs the Audit Committee, and works as an independent financial sponsor with a focus on data center and power sector investments. In addition to his corporate work, Mark and his wife Merissa co-own a celebrated beach resort and restaurant in Asbury Park, NJ, which has earned national accolades. Locally, Mark is an engaged parent and active volunteer, having coached multiple youth sports teams and supported Edgemont’s extracurricular programs. A resident for 14 years and father of four, Mark is committed to giving back and is eager to serve the Edgemont School District.
Grace Lin is a dedicated Edgemont alumna, parent, and community leader seeking a second term on the Edgemont Board of Education. A member of the Class of ’93, Grace returned to Edgemont in 2013 and is the mother of three children across all levels of the district. She is the Founder and Director of MindSet Counseling, a cognitive behavioral therapy-based mental health practice, and brings a diverse professional background in investment banking, corporate strategy, and applied psychology. During her Board tenure, Grace has helped lead key policy reforms on gender equity, AI in education, and district resource use. She has also served on numerous committees, including Special Education, Finance, and HR, while actively volunteering through the PTA, E-Club, Girl Scouts, and local advocacy efforts. Grace is known for her thoughtfulness, fairness, and deep commitment to Edgemont’s students and families.
Elyse Margolis Paidas is a seasoned business leader and public health advocate seeking her first term on the Edgemont Board of Education. She currently serves as Group President at Real Chemistry, a global healthcare innovation company, where she oversees strategic growth, fiscal accountability, and large-scale team leadership. A resident of Edgemont since 2012 and mother of two daughters in the Edgemont School District, Elyse is also a Director on the Board of Jhpiego, a global health nonprofit affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, and serves on Westchester County’s Task Force on the Prevention of Gun Violence. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, Elyse brings deep commitment to equity, talent development, and community impact.
All citizens of the United States who are registered voters in Edgemont are eligible to cast a ballot in the School District budget vote and election on Tuesday May 20, 2025 at the Gymnasium at Edgemont Junior/Senior High School on White Oak Lane. The polls will be open from 6AM to 9PM. Registration information can be obtained from the School District at its business office at Edgemont Junior/Senior School on White Oak Lane during normal school hours. All high school students who will be eighteen years of age by May 20th are urged to register to vote as soon as possible so that they can participate in the election.