This story was updated to reflect there are three seats up for election this fall.
Voters will choose from five candidates, including two incumbents, for three seats on the Westerville Board of Education.
Incumbents Anisa Liban and Kristina Rose Meyer are running for reelection this fall. They face challengers Tatjana Brown, Nafiso Jamale, and Mark Stevens for the three school board seats.
Ohio’s general election is Nov. 4, with polls open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters also may cast their ballots early through absentee ballots or in-person voting at the Franklin County Board of Elections, 1700 Morse Road.
The information below was supplied by candidates responding to a questionnaire. The Dispatch only edited responses for length or clarity.
Westerville School Board
Tatjana Brown
Age: 44
Campaign website: sites.google.com/view/tatjana-brown-for-wcsb/home
Key issues:
Background: “I am a mother of three and a small business owner in Westerville. I started Meza Wine Shop in 2008 and have grown and evolved my brick-and-mortar business over the last 18 years; it has become a staple for community connection. I have my bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University as well as a master’s in marketing and communicaitons from Franklin University.”
Why are you the best candidate? “I feel that I have so much to offer this role and would be honored to serve my community in this way. I am compassionate and empathetic, a natural leader and respected community business leader. I have evolved my business and kept it moving forward through several difficult periods, including a recession and pandemic, and I would bring the same creativity and resourcefulness to this position.”
Nafiso Jamale
Age: 31
Campaign website: njamale.com
Key issues:
Background: “I am a licensed social worker and home health professional with a Master of Social Work. I grew up in Westerville and returned after earning my degree. I serve as president of the Central Ohio Survivors Center, vice president of Outreach for my daughter’s PTA, a member of the Westerville Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, DEI Council, and represent Ward 4 on the Franklin County Central Committee. I also provide cultural competency training to hospital and non-hospital agencies.”
Why are you the best candidate? “I am a passionate advocate for students, families and the Westerville community, bringing both professional expertise and personal experience to the school board. As a licensed social worker with a Master of Social Work, I have spent years supporting children, families and trauma survivors, giving me insight into the challenges students face inside and outside the classroom.
“I am also a home health professional and president of the Central Ohio Survivors Center, focusing on equity, empowerment and healing for vulnerable populations. I provide cultural competency training to hospital and non-hospital agencies, strengthening my ability to engage diverse communities and advocate for inclusive practices.
“I serve as Vice President of Outreach for my daughter’s PTA, a member of the Westerville Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, DEI Council and represent Ward 4 on the Franklin County Central Committee.
“My experience allows me to combine strategic leadership, fiscal responsibility and a student-centered perspective to ensure all children in Westerville thrive. I am committed to transparency, educational equity and future-ready classrooms and will bring bold, thoughtful leadership to the school board.”
Anisa Liban
Age: 30
Campaign website: anisaforall.com
Key issues:
Background: “I am a Columbus native, and previously held significant roles at Columbus City Council and the Ohio State Legislature, and now provide consulting for nonprofits across central Ohio. In 2024, I made history as the first Somali woman on the Westerville City Schools Board of Education, where I championed policies that support families and enhance educational opportunities. I am currently serving as vice president of the Board, and hope to retain my seat for another term. I was a 2025 YWCA Woman on the Rise, a distinction granted to advocates for women and families, especially within Ohio’s immigrant and refugee communities.”
Why are you the best candidate? “I’m running to give back to a community that has given so much to me! As someone from the new immigrant community, a former staffer at City Hall, and state government, I am running to bring a new perspective to the Westerville City School board. I am a mom of a son who will grow up in the school district and I want to provide him with the best future. I am the first Somali woman to serve on a school board in Ohio. I want to keep moving our schools forward and make sure we are the best place to raise a family. In order to achieve this, we need to pass the levy this November. I am running to be a strong advocate for our kids, especially when we are facing unprecedented times.”
Kristy Meyer
Campaign website: kristymeyer.com
Key issues:
Background: Kristy Meyer, founder of Upriver Consulting, helps environmentally focused organizations design and implement strategic, people-centered campaigns that drive lasting policy change. With 25 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, including roles at the Ohio Environmental Council, Freshwater Future and Smart Columbus, she brings strong skills in collaboration, problem-solving and strategic planning — skills directly transferable to serving students, families and staff. Kristy holds a B.S. in environmental biology and business administration from Heidelberg University and an M.S. in environmental biology from James Cook University. She currently serves on the Westerville City Schools Board of Education.
Why are you the best candidate? “I ran for the Westerville City Schools Board of Education in 2021 because I believe every student deserves a high-quality education that prepares them to thrive, and I still do today. When we invest in our students, we invest in the future of our entire community. I’m proud to serve this community I’ve called home my whole life, and I make it a priority to listen to students, families and staff because every voice matters, and I work hard to be accessible, responsive and collaborative.
“During my time on the Board, we’ve made real progress: ensuring every school has a guidance counselor, expanding social-emotional programming, opening a new middle school on the south end of the district to relieve crowding and building career pathways that connect students to opportunities right here in our city. We’ve also strengthened support for special education students, ensuring every child can thrive and so much more.
“With 25 years of leadership experience running my own business and in nonprofit and environmental organizations, I bring skills in strategic planning, problem-solving, collaboration and people-centered decisionmaking. My experience, dedication and proven results make me ready to continue serving Westerville schools and keeping them strong, equitable and student focused.”
Mark Stevens
Age: 63
Key issues:
Background: “I was a public school teacher for 35 years.”
Why are you the best candidate? “I was a public school teacher for 35 years with a master’s degree in educational administration. I have extensive experience within the “Educational System” and I know how it works. My major concern regarding (Westerville schools) is the lack of results in policy and policy implementation.
“A lower district rating and poor math scores are indicators of much larger concern. We have policies of good intentions that are in conflict with results and outcomes. Public schools are consumers (and victims) of unverifiable research, endless excuses and extensive professional development that has not resulted in the promises of academic improvement. While data and research can identify issues like achievement gaps and learning deficiencies, the political nature of implementing solutions has led to ineffective results. This needs to change!
“District policy — we need to embrace every single student as having (great) potential. We need to discontinue the constant excuses for failure: bias, race, poverty, systemic barriers, etc., that perpetuates the ‘deficit mindset’ that limits students’ potential for growth. We need to encourage resilience, overcoming obstacles, embrace individual accountability and realistic paths to success. We will not let you fail!”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Five candidates vying for 3 seats on Westerville School Board in Nov. 4 election
Reporting by Dean Narciso, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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