Education has been Olivia Fairchild’s top priority for as long as she can remember. Nearly, twenty years ago, Olivia was asked to be a reading buddy for a group of first-graders, and since then she knew that she wanted to inspire students.

A current member of the East Lyme Board of Education, Olivia is passionate about supporting East Lyme students throughout their educational journeys.

As a Board Member, she serves on the Culture, Climate and Innovation (CCI) Committee and the newly formed World Language Exploratory Committee. Olivia represented the Board of Education in contract negotiations with the Teachers’ Association in 2024, and the Nurses’ Contract Negotiations in 2025. She volunteers throughout Read Across America week, reading to East Lyme’s elementary school students.

A Pennsylvania native, Olivia and her husband moved to East Lyme in 2020.

From 2014 through 2016, Olivia served as the Penn Manor School District Student Liaison to the Millersville Borough Council. As Student Liason, Olivia worked with her school’s administration to create a report to share with the Borough Council and community at public meetings. Following the meetings, Olivia reported local news back to her school. Through this experience, she gained a newfound appreciation for the relationship between municipalities and school districts.

Olivia graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Business Management (concentration in Organizational Leadership), a B.S. in Economics specializing in Business and Law, and a minor in Equine Science. A natural leader, Olivia worked as a resident assistant and showed horses for the Western Equestrian Team, of which she was Treasurer, then President. Always happy to help students reach their goals, she volunteered as a tutor, teaching assistant at her University, and interned for a County 4-H Youth Development Program. 

When her husband’s career relocated them to Connecticut, the Fairchilds chose to live in East Lyme because of its exceptional school system and community.

In 2021, Olivia was elected Planning Commission Alternate. She served on the Commission’s Affordable Housing Subcommittee to create, in partnership with Goman and York, East Lyme’s Affordable Housing Plan. This plan was unanimously accepted by the Planning Commission and adopted in December 2022.

Interested in learning more, about her community, Olivia began attending East Lyme Board of Education meetings in the spring of 2023. A life-long learner, Olivia enjoyed hearing about East Lyme’s schools and students.  In December, 2023, she was appointed to the Board of Education.

As a member of the East Lyme Board of Education, Olivia was part of the team who expanded the Pathways Program for students to explore technical and career opportunities through communtity partnerships. On the CCI Committee, Olivia is working with her committee members to strengthen the community within the schools and town. The committee is also exploring the use and implementation of technology in the classroom.  During her tenure so far, Olivia has had the priveledge of commending student authors, artists, State Champions, athletes, musicians, and their mentors.

East Lyme has been recognized for the District’s outstanding athletic and academic programs. Recently, East Lyme High School was named US News and World Report 17 th (out of 203) best high school in the state.  Being a part of this incredible community and school system has been tremendous.

The Board of Education holds an important role in the inspiration, engagement and education of each student.  Olivia would be honored to continue sharing her experiences and enthusiasm with our community as a member of the Board of Education.  Outside of the Board of Education, Olivia works in Supply Chain at General Dynamics Electric Boat. She is an avid reader and horseback rider.