Margaret Novicki will seek the nomination of Orange Democrats as their candidate for First Selectman in the November 2017 election. She was introduced to the Orange Democratic Town Committee during their meeting on June 20.
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The ODTC’s nominating committee had already reached a consensus on presenting Novicki as their candidate choice.
In a statement prior to the official announcement, Novicki said, “I’ve been motivated all my life by wanting to make a contribution for the greater good. I would like to use all the experience I’ve gained over my career to make Orange an even better place to raise our families. I love this town – it’s in my blood – it would be a privilege to serve the Orange community.”
Novicki spent the first 18 years of her life in Orange. Her parents, Ted and Martha Novicki, raised three children in town and were active members of the Paugusset Club and Holy Infant Church. Several family members still live in town, and Margaret returned in 2013.
Her life and career after leaving the region took her places, literally. Novicki served the United Nations for 22 years, with 12 of them at the New York headquarters and a decade in four African countries. Her experience covered management, communications and public service.
Novicki retired in may of 2017.
In her last post at the headquarters before retirement, Novicki headed the Strategic Communications Division, managing 63 UN information offices around the world and leading the organization’s communications campaigns on issues including human rights, sustainable development, climate change, gender equality and peacekeeping.
The UN stationed Novicki in Africa from 1998 to 2008, where she headed information offices in Ghana and South Africa. She also served as the UN spokesperson for the 15,000 peacekeeping forces in Liberia and Sierra Leone. At the time it was the largest peacekeeping operation in the world that helped end civil wars in both countries.
Her experience landed her the position of UN Special Advisor to the Koffi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana which provided training for military officers in West Africa.
Novicki also headed communications for the UN office on children and armed conflict.
Prior to joining the United Nations in 1995, Novicki was the editor-in-chief of Africa Report. She held the position for 13 years. During that time she traveled across the African continent reporting on challenges faced by the various nations. During that time she also served as a consultant on African issues for several UN agencies, private foundations and organizations.
Growing up in Orange, Novicki attended Mary L. Tracy School and went on to Holy Infant Junior High and then Lauralton Hall in Milford. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service in Washington, DC, in 1977. She then earned a Master’s Degree from Columbia University’s School of International Affairs in New York in 1979.
Novicki lives in Orange with her husband, Amadou Ndiaye and their son, Thomas, who graduated from Carnegie Melon University in 2016.
Aside from Novicki’s presentation, the ODTC announced that they are still looking for candidates for some board slots as well as tax collector. The ODTC’s annual Meet the Candidates Picnic is scheduled for Aug. 30.