Dear Ward 8 Friends and Neighbors,
My name is Nate Bae Kupel and I live in the Highland Village area of our ward with my wife QJ and my cat Cookie Dough. Five years ago, my wife and I made the decision to plant our roots in Malden and make this city our home. However, my story starts in Korea where I was born. As an infant I was adopted and grew up in a small town in Maine where there were few people who looked like me. Twelve years ago I was reunited with my birth mother. The experience of finally seeing someone who looked like me was like looking in the mirror for the first time. It was so powerful that it shaped and motivated me to devote my life’s work to helping others.
I have worked for a lot of amazing nonprofit organizations over my career, fighting for issues such as higher education access and affordability, youth empowerment and job training, clinical social work, healthcare access for vulnerable communities, and leadership development. I’ve had the privilege of being able to attend college — even graduate school — and serve as President and Board member for a number of nonprofit organizations. In 2019 I was appointed by the Massachusetts Attorney General, Maura Healey, to serve as a Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission where I continue to serve as an advocate for the needs of Asian American residents in our state.
My wife and I love Ward 8 and want to make our neighborhoods safe, equitable, clean, and green for our children, families, and all residents. I care about strengthening our communities through education, public transportation, and helping to improve and increase communication, trust, and accountability between our local government and residents. I would be honored to serve this ward as your City Councillor and hope that I can earn your trust and support. I look forward to meeting and speaking with you.
Sincerely,
Nate Bae Kupel, MSW
natebaekupel.com 