Meet the Candidates: Liz Duda, Tega Cay City Council Candidate

As part of our continuing effort to bring relevant local news to our readers, we’ve proactively reached out to the candidates running for the Tega Cay City Council special election. We’ve furnished them with a series of questions designed to provide the answers you need in order to decide on the candidate who will occupy the available seat.

Leading up to the election, we will feature one of the candidates along with their responses to a list of questions. We will not manipulate their answers in any way, we’ll simply provide them to you, our readers. This will allow you to make an informed choice. The order in which they’ll be featured was determined by response time to our inquiry.

Today, we’ll feature Liz Duda, Tega Cay City Council Candidate.

Please state your name: Liz Duda

Please state your occupation:
I am a federal bank regulator with a long career in financial services, including community banking, Wall Street, risk management consulting, and grant-giving to New York City businesses affected by the 9/11 attacks.

How long have you lived in Tega Cay?
My husband and I moved to Tega Cay 20 years ago to be near family and start our own. We’ve raised our three children here, who now attend Gold Hill Middle, Fort Mill High School, and college.

What do you believe is the role of the City Council in our community?
City Council exists to represent residents, set a shared community vision, and ensure the City is managed responsibly. Council provides oversight of the city manager, approves balanced operating and capital budgets, and makes policy decisions grounded in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, strategic vision, and resident feedback. Council members also represents Tega Cay in regional planning on issues like transportation and river/lake management.

What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?
As a Tega Cay Council member, I will advance the work I have been doing for nearly two decades — promoting accountability, strengthening community partnerships, and helping ensure Tega Cay remains a safe, healthy, and thriving place for you and your family to call home.

My key strengths include:
1. Local leadership experience: Over 20 years of civic involvement in Tega Cay, regionally and state-wide in areas critical to our community, developing a deep understanding of this community, and resulting in over 300 volunteer hours every year for our community.
2. Community building & Communications: Proven ability to bring people together, build community, communicate clearly, and bring awareness to local issues.
3. Financial expertise: Extensive professional experience performing financial analysis, navigating regulatory documents, and simplifying complex topics for decision making.

What previous community involvement have you had in Tega Cay or another city?
I have been engaged in nearly every major community issue in Tega Cay over the past 20 years.

Highlights include:

Serving alongside other citizen leaders who successfully fought against a private utility company in Tega Cay that was mismanaged, uninterested in investing in our water/sewer infrastructure and responsible for devastating sewage spills – resulting in the City acquiring the system and improving service for all residents.
Expanding age limits for flag football programming with Tega Cay Parks and Recreation after circulating a petition and increasing awareness. The ages allowed to play increased from age 7 to 13, allowing many more kids to participate in the sport.
Launching the popular walk/bike/roll to school days when Tega Cay Elementary (TCES) first opened; founding the “Tega Cay Healthy Kids” platform to support a healthier lifestyle through community events, collaboration, and communications; and taking over the annual Catawba Riversweep Site Captain role at the Tega Cay Marina – all of which I continue today.
Serving on the Tega Cay Health & Active Living Committee and partnering with regional healthy-community coalitions.
After hearing teens speak at a City Council meeting to request a place to be allowed to skate in 2020, forming an Advisory Board and helping the teens get permission to skate at the new Catawba Park amphitheater.
Serving in the Tega Cay Lions Club, after receiving Citizen of the Year in 2018.
Serving on the York County Mental Health Task Force after learning mental health calls are a major challenge facing Tega Cay law enforcement.
Leading the Fort Mill High School Walkability Study which resulted in York County allocating funding for a new sidewalk.
Routinely attending Council, County and transportation meetings to advocate for transparency, safety and responsible spending.

During my time in Tega Cay, while raising a family and working, I have dedicated a significant amount of time being responsive to community needs and tirelessly promoted safe pathways, healthy waterways, recreational opportunities, and community. These experiences have helped me build deep relationships with first responders, schools, nonprofits, county/state partners, and many residents.

What do you see as top priorities for the City and why?

I have had the privilege of engaging with our community, listening to feedback at community meetings and events, and advocating for issues our community cares about.

With this experience and knowledge, my top priorities for Tega Cay are:

1. Good Governance – Upholding accountability, integrity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility of City management and Council.
2. Responsible Development & Redevelopment – Having oversight of current projects, while positioning the City for future redevelopment and long-term economic resilience. Tega Cay has doubled in size and population since I moved
here, and we have limited ability to expand our jurisdiction in the future. We need to focus on what we have and value – protecting our people and natural resources, maintaining our small-town feel, encouraging high-quality (re)development that meets community needs, financial stability, and ensuring we can continue delivering quality services.
3. Public Safety – Continuing to partner with police, fire, EMS, and mental health organizations to maintain Tega Cay’s reputation as one of the safest cities in South Carolina.
4. Recreational Community – Supporting diverse recreational programs, safe sidewalks and pathways, and responsible stewardship of our lake, river, parks, and treescape.

Have you previously served on a governing board of any type (business, government, non-profit organization, church, etc.) or as a leader in any organization? If so, please briefly describe the organization(s), your role, and the number of years you served in that capacity below.

I have served in multiple local organizations, including:

Tega Cay Lions Club: First Vice President (2022–23), Communications (2020–present)
SC Women in Leadership: Board of Directors (2023-present), Vice President (now)
Tega Cay Healthy Kids: Founder & Leader (2014–present)
Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation: Riversweep Site Captain & Covekeeper (2007–present)
York County Mental Health Task Force: Marketing Committee (2023–present)
Bike/Ped Coalition of York County: Chair/Co-Chair (2019–present)
Eat Smart Move More York County: Chair (2018–23)
Tega Cay Parks & Rec: Youth Soccer & Softball Coach (2018–23)
Girls on the Run: Coach (2023)
Tega Cay 2025 Comprehensive Plan: Health & Active Living Committee (2019- 20)
Tega Cay Elementary: School Improvement Council Vice Chair (2016-21)
Tega Cay STEAM Club Co-Chair (2015-19)
Tega Cay Water Citizen Advisory Council: Leadership Team (2010–14)

What do you believe are the three (3) greatest strengths of the City of Tega Cay?
1. Our People – We are a community filled with engaged, caring, and passionate residents.
2. Our Place – Our lake and river access, treescape, parks, trails, clubs, sports programs, and proximity to Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Charlotte create an unmatched quality of life.
3. Our Opportunities – Through strong city departments, partners, and volunteers, we enjoy festivals, movies, holiday events, public safety programs, and many recreational opportunities. Living here truly lets us enjoy “the good life.”

Does your interest in serving on the City Council stem from a personal interest or goal? Is there something in particular you hope to accomplish while serving on the City Council, and why is serving on the Council important to you? Please elaborate.
I’m running because I love Tega Cay and believe my civic, professional, and personal experiences uniquely prepare me to serve. I have spent nearly 20 years advocating for our community.

If elected, I will focus on:

Good Governance — accountability, integrity, and fiscal responsibility
Responsible Development & Redevelopment — preparing for the future while protecting our small-town feel
Public Safety — supporting first responders and community partnerships
Recreation & Quality of Life — protecting natural resources, expanding safe pathways, and supporting recreational opportunities for all residents

Residents know that I show up, do the work, and bring people together. I will continue doing that as a Council member.

Please list any areas you believe the City of Tega Cay could improve upon.
We can strengthen our voice in regional conversations about the river/lake, transportation, and issues impacting residents daily. We also have opportunities to improve communication with residents—especially around topics like the marina, deer management, and long-term planning. The City has made progress, but consistency and transparency remain key.

I’ve spoken regularly about opportunities for Good Governance improvements at City Council meetings and encourage you to check out my Facebook page (Liz Duda 4 Tega Cay) to view a plethora of recordings and comments on a wide variety of local topics.

The City Council must render decisions regarding the implementation of policies and/or programs that may be somewhat difficult. Are you willing to take on the responsibility of making decisions that are in the best interest of the public even though they may be somewhat difficult?
Yes, I already do this by choice as a resident, and commit to continuing as a local elected representative. I make informed decisions by doing thorough research, considering different viewpoints, and analyzing issues carefully. I have done this throughout my career when making investment recommendations, managing risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading community coalitions. In Tega Cay, I actively participate in City Council and regional transportation meetings both to see how I can positively contribute and ensure accountability from our local leaders.

What do you believe is the single most compelling issue facing the City of Tega Cay?
Responsible development and redevelopment, which includes:

Ensuring appropriate oversight of planned development (e.g., Main Street/The Grove)
Positioning our community for redevelopment (e.g., Stonecrest/Walmart shopping center)
Preserving Tega Cay’s small-town feel
Controlling sediment/stormwater to protect our river/lake
Ensuring fiscal responsibility, accountability, and oversight to accomplish what is promised
Helping Tega Cay have a strong voice at the regional, county, and state level to support policies, decisions, and funding in the best interest of our residents

Please tell us about any other activities, specialized skills, knowledge, or professional experience that would contribute to your effectiveness in serving on the City Council.
I not only have extensive involvement in Tega Cay, but I have a global perspective on regional and economic opportunities or issues that impact our community.

I learned valuable general management, leadership, and teamwork skills earning my MBA at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
As a full-time volunteer post 9/11, I worked with amazing volunteers and professionals helping rebuild downtown businesses. I felt empowered by our collective positive impact in a time of immense pain.
My mother died way too young of a heart attack. This reinforced how much I cherish my family, friends, and community, making the most of what we have, and my support for healthy communities.
In my risk management consulting role, I honed my skill of explaining complex concepts in a simple manner, to help conclusions be made and actions be taken.
Having majored in economics as an undergrad and business in graduate school, I now get involved in local economic development and chamber of commerce opportunities (e.g., the York County Rails to Trails Project I’m spearheading via one of my community coalition roles).
As the daughter of a transportation professional who worked in the trucking and airline industry, I enjoy attending our regional transportation board meetings in Rock Hill to see how our elected officials – including our Tega Cay Mayor, County and State Representatives – are allocating and overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars of our local transportation funding – our taxpayer money.
Having lived in Southern California and interned in the action sports industry, I learned the value and joy of active living and safe pedestrian and rolling access. I walked and cycled to school and spent my free time on inline skates, and my social life revolved around recreational sports – much as we can do here in Tega Cay, The Recreational Community.

Many are concerned about the growth within Tega Cay. What’s your plan to help ensure we maintain a small town feel while continuing to grow appropriately?
With no significant annexation opportunities ahead, my focus will be on responsibly developing and redeveloping what Tega Cay has and preparing for the loss of $1MM in annual new-home impact fees from the City budget. I will be guided by resident feedback and the 2035 Tega Cay Comprehensive Plan currently being developed to ensure Tega Cay remains the safe, healthy, and thriving place with the small-town feel that we call home.

Is there anything you’d want to tell us about yourself and why the people of Tega Cay should vote for you?
My husband and I have raised our children in this community to be responsible, involved, compassionate community members. We feel fortunate to live in this environment, with our strong school system, natural resources, public safety, and engaged residents. It is our pleasure to be able to give back to our community wherever
we can make a positive difference.

As a Tega Cay Council member, I will take the time to listen, think, and serve this community on my commitment to accountable government, long history of local civic engagement, and financial background.

Thank you for reading this extensive Q&A, and thank you to the Tega Cay Sun for providing me with the opportunity. I truly value the chance to share my priorities and background.

Residents, it would be my honor to serve you and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, February 3.

Contact me anytime: