Emily Secor May

As a Fargo native, my connection and commitment to this community run deep. Through my professional and civic experiences, I have built expertise in strategic decision-making, budget management, policy development, and long-term planning. As an attorney, my professional background includes governance oversight and leadership of programs with significant operational and financial impact. Additionally, I have served on the Board of Directors for the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center for the past five years, where I have gained hands-on experience in board governance—balancing budgets, aligning short-term priorities with sustainable growth, and shaping a strategic vision that advances the organization’s mission.

Accountability — The Board’s primary responsibility is stewardship of shared assets and public funds, which requires thoughtful, transparent decision-making aligned with community priorities. I am committed to advocating for fiscal responsibility and outcomes that serve the best interests of Fargo residents.

Engagement — Board decisions should be grounded in community insight rather than personal agendas. Meaningful, inclusive engagement and strategic collaboration foster innovative solutions and sustainable growth.

Community — Fargo Parks’ services should serve the entire community, from youth to seniors, sports to gardening. I am committed to ensuring that our parks, spaces, and programming reflect the diversity of the people we serve.

The greatest challenge will be keeping pace with Fargo’s continued growth. Conservative budget management will be essential to balancing the costs of existing debt obligations and maintaining current service levels, while still investing strategically to meet the city’s evolving needs.

The most significant opportunities lie in strengthening collaboration with local organizations and reimagining how existing spaces are used. By making targeted, efficient improvements and partnering with community organizations to share facilities and leverage existing services, we can maximize impact. These partnerships will allow Fargo Parks to serve more residents and expand programming while minimizing budget impacts.

Successful planning depends on a clear strategic vision and informed prioritization. The Board must ensure that the district’s strategic vision is formally established, aligned with the district’s mission, and grounded in diverse community input, including needs assessment studies. Regularly evaluating district goals, deliverables, and outcomes against this vision is essential to ensuring that funds are allocated equitably across a wide range of spaces and programs and do not disproportionately benefit certain segments of the community. By consistently using community insights and data, the district can adopt a more intentional, strategic approach to planning—one that is proactive rather than reactionary.