Patch Profile: Elizabeth Corkum Winsor, Canton Board of Selectmen

CANTON, CT — Canton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Elizabeth Corkum Winsor is running for Canton Board of Selectmen as a Democrat.

The following is Winsor's questionnaire sent to Patch:

Name

Elizabeth Corkum Winsor

How old will you be as of Election Day?

60

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

What city or town do you live in?

Canton

What office are you seeking?

Canton Board of Selectman

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education

Babson College, Bachelor of Science, Finance/Quantitative Methods

What is your occupation?

I recently retired after 35+ years in the healthcare insurance industry, having led two significant businesses within UnitedHealthcare. My role prior to retirement was CEO of the Northeast Region with accountability for revenues of $12B.\

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I am a lifelong resident of Canton as is my spouse, Jeff. We have two adult children who were born, raised and educated in Canton. We have a yellow Labrador puppy, Ruby May, who is keeping us on our toes.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My Mom, Kathy Corkum, was Canton’s first selectman from 1991 to 2001.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I love Canton. I appreciate the town’s unique character and want to be involved in maintaining it. I have a broad skill set including deep financial, operational and business acumen. I pride myself on having a balanced approach, and achieving results while fostering relationships. I believe these skills are transferable and would be an asset to the issues facing Canton.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the budget. We need to achieve the balance of affordability, responsible growth, maintaining our school’s excellence and preserving the town’s character.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a unique combination of skill sets and relatable experiences. These include Canton High School graduate, mom, Canton volunteer, nonprofit fundraiser, board member, mentor for professional women and proven business leader. These responsibilities have taught me that it’s important to seek out diverse opinions and be open-minded to get the best results.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I worked for a Fortune 10 company which gave me the opportunity to work with people of different backgrounds and experiences. This allowed me to build skills of leadership, fostering relationships and working collaboratively.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Residential and affordable housing, traffic and speeding concerns, business growth and maintaining our treasured school system.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As Region CEO with UnitedHealthcare, I was responsible for all aspects of the business including setting policy, determining long-term and short-term strategies, adhering to budgets, ensuring positive marketing and being responsible for 700 people on my team. I believe these accomplishments translate and would be an asset for Canton’s government.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Be your authentic self.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

It would be an honor and privilege to serve the town I love.