2017 Reston Association Board Election: Meet Syazana Durrani

Voting in the 2017 Reston Association Board of Directors election will run through April 3. We will be posting profiles on each of the candidates. Featured here is Syazana Durrani, who is facing Victoria White (profile) in the race for the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District seat. The two squared off in a candidate forum last week.

Profiles of candidates in the race for an At-Large seat will run later this week.

The profiles are in a Q-and-A format. Each candidate had an opportunity to answer the same questions in their own words.

How long have you lived in Reston? What brought you here? 

Since 2011. We moved from Ballston. We fell in love with the woods, trails, the affordability of the home [and the] proximity of Glade Pool with its awesome slide.

What inspired you to run for the board?

Reston itself. A year ago, my husband’s family immigrated (14 years in the making through the highest, most proper legal channels) and I was able to help the family assimilate and integrate into American Living, as well as meeting their highest potential, I truly believe, because we live in Reston. Never mind that I have the best, most loving support system here in the neighbors and friends we have, but Reston, the community, is very much part of the wholesome entity that helped my nephews grow and expand exponentially to be the individuals they are today. And seeing how far the family has come, and loving the process and pushing the envelope to be better each day, I am running as a way to say thank you and to give back to the community that has given us all so much.

What are three of the biggest concerns you have for Reston?

• Short-sightedness of short-term gain, without fully understanding the long-term goals and impact of the inevitable expansion and development of Reston
• Varied diverse communities that make Reston supremely unique — but unwilling to compromise and work together toward a common goal for Reston
• Lower income group that is left behind from Reston’s progress due to lack of involvement and understanding of their own community’s potential and influence

What do you hope to accomplish by being on the board?

Bridging the gap between the association and many Reston residents who don’t understand the significance of their personal engagement and involvement in RA. To be able to communicate with residents and community the kinds of impact the board’s direction and decision can be on them, on our community.

How will your personal or professional experience help you in your role with RA?

When I say I represent diversity, I mean the rich makeup of Reston residents: the stay-home/work-from-home parents; the multilingual/multicultural communities; the young families and elderlies; the single and the multi-family occupants; friends and neighbors who come from everywhere and have chosen and made Reston their second, third, fourth home.

I live my personal and professional life every day, in how I raise my family, in how I help my nephews assimilate and integrate into American Living, in the way I meet new friends and neighbors, in the way I share the best of Reston. Through this role with RA, it will just be another feature of Reston I can represent and promote, with insightful background of the meat and grit of how the association works.

How does this all help my role with the RA? I hope it will bring new perspective, a fresh breather of someone with lots of energy and positivity of where we are and where we’re heading. To be reminded and be mindful that every decision made as board member has huge impact on so many for a long while, thus the role with RA is laden with responsibilities not to be taken lightly. To be able to truly listen to all facets and factions, communities and committees that make up Reston and bridge the differences by being mindful of the end goal.

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED CANDIDATE PROFILES:

• David Bobzien (Apartment Owners’ representative)
• Arlene Krieger (North Point District seat)
• John Mooney (North Point District seat)
• Victoria White (Hunters Woods/Dogwood District seat)