Rachel Sumner for Village Dryden Trustee – Vote March 18, 2026

“I moved to Tompkins County in 2010. I made the Village of Dryden my home in 2022 because it’s relatively affordable and walkable, and I was drawn to the Village’s sense of community. With new businesses energizing Main Street and creating spaces for people to come together, it’s an exciting time to live here! Dryden feels both welcoming and full of promise as the New York Forward grant funds open even more possibilities for revitalization. 

“I’m motivated by curiosity and civic commitments. I earned my Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Cornell and now work at the university’s Center for Dialogue & Pluralism, where I inform data‑driven decisions about programming in addition to helping participants build skills for communication across differences. I serve on the Town of Dryden Recreation and Youth Commission, spent five years on the Relay for Life of Tompkins County planning committee, and have volunteered in schools, libraries, and nonprofits across more than 20 years. 

“I believe the Village’s direction should be shaped by the beliefs, values, and experiences of its residents. To support this, I will be a responsible steward of our resources, including infrastructure and our natural environment. My dialogue skills help me bring people together to understand issues and solve problems in a way that’s fair and transparent. I’m committed to creating more opportunities for people to come together—at a potential dog park or community garden, for example. I believe Village life would be enriched if more people felt connected to each other and to this place.”