Queens Borough President Melinda Katz today announced she has appointed Deborah A. Dillingham of Forest Hills to be the Queens representative on the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP).

     Ms. Dillingham has served the city’s educational system in several capacities, including as the Queens borough appointee to District 28’s Community Education Council, where she served as president. She has also served on the Queens Borough President’s Parent Advisory Committee, the District 28 Leadership Team and the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Committee and has been president of the Parent’s Association of P.S. 101 in Queens.

     “Through her extensive work with our city’s school system, Deborah has shown she has the knowledge, savvy and commitment necessary to be an outstanding member of the Panel for Educational Policy,” Katz said. “She cares deeply about our children and the schooling they receive and has track record of making sure our kids get the best education possible. I know she will be a great asset to the PEP.”

     Ms. Dillingham worked in the field of consumer products marketing from 1990 to 2000, most recently serving as director of marketing at the Alexander Doll Company. She was an assistant director of financial aid for Fisher Junior College in Boston from 1984 to 1987 and was a program compliance officer for the Massachusetts Board of Regents from 1987 to 1990. She was also formerly a board member of the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation.

     Ms. Dillingham graduated with a B.A. degree in English and Psychology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1983. She earned an M.A. in Psychology from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. in 1987.

     She has three children in the city’s public school system. Chandler Dillingham (age 14) attends Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Harrison Dillingham (also age14) is a student at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts and Abigail Dillingham (age 12) attends the Professional Performing Arts School.