September 10, 2020

The ACLU of Massachusetts is pleased to announce that attorney Kirsten Mayer, of Ropes & Gray, has been named president of the Board of Directors, attorney David Bowman, of Morgan Lewis has been named vice president, and financial consultant Maria Manning has been named chair of the ACLU Foundation of Massachusetts.

“As the Trump administration unleashes one egregious policy after another, the ACLU has been there to defend civil rights and civil liberties in Massachusetts and nationwide,” said Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. “Kirsten, David, and Maria bring new energy and expertise to our organization’s continued work to defend and advance equal justice for everyone.”

Mayer is a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP, and advises industry-leading health care and life science companies in criminal, civil, and regulatory enforcement matters and in related complex civil litigation. Recently, Kirsten has been providing guidance to health care clients in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak and the CARES Act, including advising hospitals and academic medical centers on how to evaluate and develop policies and procedures in the context of evolving state and federal public health guidance.

“With an ongoing global pandemic, a national reckoning on racial justice, and a high-stakes election on the horizon, our country and our state are at a watershed moment,” said Mayer. “I am honored to work alongside ACLU members, my peers on the Board, and staff to meet this moment and push for a fairer, more equitable Massachusetts.”

Bowman, a partner at Morgan Lewis, conducts and manages diversity consulting projects, independent investigations, and workplace training programs for clients nationwide.

“The ACLU’s work defending civil rights and civil liberties is more important than ever,” said Bowman. “Our democracy is built on the principle that everyone has equal rights under the law, so I look forward to joining the leadership of the ACLU of Massachusetts Board of Directors at this moment in history.”

Manning is a consultant for Danforth Advisors. Prior to her position there, she held various senior leadership accounting and finance positions in the health care and technology sectors. She has been a member of the ACLU of Massachusetts Board of Directors since 2010 and most recently served as vice president.

“For a century, the ACLU of Massachusetts has fought for and advanced justice for all people,” said Manning. “I look forward to continuing that fight—from reimagining policing and reforming the criminal legal system, to stopping secret government surveillance, to protecting the rights and liberties of immigrants, and more.”

For a full list of ACLU of Massachusetts Board Members and Foundation Directors, go to: https://www.aclum.org/en/Board