Tanya Bourgoin- East Haddam Selectman
BIO AND EXPERIENCE
I love East Haddam! I feel blessed to be part of its past history and current community and I want to be part of ensuring its thriving future.
I have lived in East Haddam for 15 years but my roots here run much deeper. Growing up in Haddam, my family and I crossed the river frequently to enjoy the wonderful things that East Haddam has to offer.
Some of my favorite childhood memories include shopping with my mother and grandmother at Parsnip Hollow, lunching at Hale and Hearty and visiting the many area attractions. Gillette’s Castle and Johnsonville were particular favorites, especially exciting when they were in their full holiday glory at Christmas time. After a day spent picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming or camping at Devil’s Hopyard, Bashan Lake or Selden Neck, we enjoyed many summer evening concerts on the lawn at ChestElm. My maternal great grandmother was born in Millington; her direct lineage includes the Trowbridge, Bartman, Willey and Bogue families, as well as members of the indigenous Wangunk tribe.
​
I have proven myself to be dedicated, thoughtful, objective, and when necessary tenacious. Above all, I believe that by building relationships and finding common ground, we can solve problems and reach lasting solutions as a team.
My early employment history was largely comprised of retail sales and management, through which I learned many valuable skills such as how to interact with individuals on many different levels - managers, co-workers, vendors, and customers, how to keep calm when things got hectic, and how to offer advice and guidance with the integrity that comes from expertise.
Working in a veterinary office helped to further my communications skills and taught me how a well-organized office should function. Being the live-in manager of an animal shelter, I learned how to successfully supervise employees and volunteers, coordinate service providers, solicit donors and connect with the public while keeping the facility well-maintained on a tight budget. Becoming chief municipal animal control officer further strengthened my communication and administrative skills and provided valuable insight as to how town governments work.
I have always believed in being the importance of being of service to the community. I served as the fundraising director from 2015 to this past March for a listener-supported radio station where I have been a DJ for the last 15 years. In that time, I successfully surpassed the donation goals every year while cutting fundraising expenses and increasing community involvement.
In 2016, I co-founded the Friends of Machimoodus and Sunrise State Parks and I am still president of that organization today. My advocacy and organizational skills led me to be elected to the board of the Friends of CT State Parks this past September.
In 2020, I joined the Connecticut chapter of the Sierra Club’s newly formed Wildlife Committee and because of my leadership abilities, I was appointed chair of that committee in August of 2022. In February 2022, I was solicited to become involved with the Nascent CT Outdoor Recreation Alliance, and I have been attending their meetings regularly since that time.
​
Through my combined experience in many different sectors, I have learned the skills necessary to be an effective leader.
