PARSIPPANY — Three Parsippany parents and community leaders, Jaya Trivedi, Dr. Trivikrama Reddy and Akshay Pujara, are running as a team for three open seats on the Parsippany Board of Education, citing student success, fiscal responsibility and community engagement as their core priorities.
The team, running under the campaign theme “Vision • Learning • Success,” says its goal is to bring fresh perspectives and real-world leadership experience to help ensure Parsippany schools remain among the strongest educational institutions in New Jersey.
All three candidates are parents with children who attend or have attended Parsippany schools. Together, they bring experience in education, engineering, finance, technology, business leadership and community service.
“We are running because we believe every decision made by the Board should begin with one question: What is best for our students?” the candidates said in a joint statement. “Our responsibility is to ensure that students receive an outstanding education while maintaining transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”
Diverse Professional Experience
Jaya Trivedi, Ballot Position 5, has lived in Parsippany for 12 years and is the parent of two children who attended district schools.
Her professional experience combines education and business leadership, with a strong focus on technology and learning. She began her career in education and later moved into education technology and learning leadership.
Today, she serves as Vice President of Learning and Talent Development at a global financial institution, and holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a Master of Business Administration in Finance.
As a Parsippany parent and community member, Trivedi has participated in the Parent Teacher Association and community activities, including serving as a robotics coach and mentor. Her experience has shaped her approach:
students should come first in Board decisions, while taxpayer dollars should be used wisely and responsibly. She wants to bring her experience in education, technology and finance to the Board and work with teachers, families and the community to make thoughtful decisions for students.
“Education has the power to transform lives,” said Trivedi. “As both a parent and learning leader, I want to ensure our schools continue to provide opportunities that help every student succeed.”
Dr. Trivikrama Reddy, Ballot Position 6, has lived in Parsippany for 12 years and is a Parsippany School District parent of two children.
He is a Senior Staff Engineer in the medical device industry and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) for the past eight years. Reddy holds a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, and has more than 20 years of leadership experience in engineering, innovation, project management and strategic decision-making.
He holds 14 engineering patents and has twice been nominated for NJIT’s Excellence in Teaching Award. He is actively involved in community service and volunteer initiatives and was recognized with the Jeffrey Sherman Life Changers Global Award.
“As a parent, educator, and engineer, I have seen how strong schools create opportunities that last a lifetime,” said Reddy. “I want to help ensure our district continues to deliver excellent educational outcomes while remaining transparent and fiscally responsible.”
Akshay Pujara, Ballot Position 7, has called Parsippany home for more than a decade and is raising two children in the district with his wife.
As a parent, he cares deeply about strong schools and creating opportunities for every student. He holds a master’s degree in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics field, is a named inventor on patents, and brings more than 15 years of professional experience in leadership, strategic planning, financial decision-making, problem-solving and collaboration.
He believes effective Board members should listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, examine facts and data, and work collaboratively with district leadership, educators, families and the community. He values accountability, transparency, respectful communication and responsible financial stewardship.
“Strong schools and responsible financial stewardship go hand in hand,” said Pujara. “I want to bring thoughtful, data-driven decision-making to the Board and ensure our resources are used responsibly to support students, educators, and the long-term strength of our schools.”
Focus on Students and Community
The team says its campaign is focused on the needs and priorities of the Parsippany school community, with an emphasis on student success and future readiness, fiscal responsibility and transparency, safe and modern schools, and empowering great teachers and school leaders.
The candidates will appear at the end of the ballot on Tuesday, November 3, as Number 5 Jaya Trivedi, Number 6 Dr. Trivikrama Reddy and Number 7 Akshay Pujara. Residents can learn more through the campaign’s Facebook page by clicking here.
