Let's secure our future—together.
Hello! My name is Dionysios Kaskarelis, but most people know me as "Dion". It's an honor to step forward as a candidate for Councilor-at-large in Melrose. I am a husband, father, homeowner, and proud Greek-American. I’m also an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen on July 31, 2025 (no, this is not a typo). While pulling papers only two weeks later is probably a record, for me it's a natural step to give back to the community that supported me. My wife, Gloria, and I moved from Jamaica Plain to Melrose in May 2023 together with our son Leo, now twenty months old, and our senior dog, Gustavo.
Growing up in a foreign service family, I lived across Europe and the U.S. Not only did I witness major events such as the collapse of the Berlin Wall and 9-11, and understood the importance that diplomacy plays to secure peace, but I also gained a global perspective, an openness to diversity, and the ability to communicate across differences. My upbringing was also influenced by Greek culture which places a strong emphasis on eleftheria (freedom), demokratia (democracy), filotimo (honor), and filoxenia (hospitality). These are the values I want to bring to City Hall.
I am the founder and CEO of a real estate investment firm based in Melrose, which aims to democratize real estate wealth for all. A very important part of our work is community sense. All of our projects ensure community support. I’ve also had a long career in public service, spanning over 15 years, working as an international civil servant for a multilateral development bank where I focused on economic diplomacy and investment banking leading large-scale initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
We came here because of the city’s reputation for strong schools, public services, and infrastructure. From the moment we arrived, our neighbors welcomed us with warmth and kindness. Watching our children play together is what makes Melrose truly feel like home. We have invested in Melrose for the long term—we love it here, and we want to see it thrive!
Shortly after our arrival, the city began to experience financial challenges leading to budgetary cuts of $6 million from schools and essential services. Due to my financial background, I naturally gravitated towards dialogues about the issues. While I haven’t held an official role with the city, I’m regularly engaged in civic matters—through conversations with fellow residents, Council representatives, and Mayor Jen as well as advocating for and against local initiatives. That’s what inspired me to run. Ultimately, the role of Councilor isn’t about promoting a personal agenda—it’s about giving residents a voice to participate in shaping our city. I would love to hear your thoughts.
I want to build on our successes and commit to a city that is based on a common vision, collaboration and partnership, transparency and inclusion, with fresh and forward-planning solutions that reflect the needs of every Melrosian. To learn more about me, please read about my top goals and the ideas I support. If you believe in this vision for our city, please vote on November 4th and consider donating to support our campaign.