New class marks most diverse Massachusetts board in ACLU’s 101-year history

The ACLU of Massachusetts is pleased to announce the election of 13 new Board and Foundation directors, representing leadership from top law firms, academia, philanthropy, and a former Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice. This year’s class marks the most diverse board in ACLU of Massachusetts’ 101-year history, reflecting the organization’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.

“Amidst a nationwide conversation about voting rights, racial justice, reproductive freedom, and more, action is shifting dramatically to the local and state level,” said Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. “With a range of professional and lived experiences, our new directors—from LGBTQ community leaders to constitutional experts to activists—bring expertise, energy, and partnerships to our organization’s work to defend and advance civil liberties for all.”

New ACLU of Massachusetts and ACLU Foundation of Massachusetts directors include:

  • Naomi Aberly, political activist and civic volunteer;
  • Kate Audette, social worker, licensed foster care provider, and health policy thought leader;
  • Niko Bowie, assistant professor of law at Harvard Law School;
  • Dan Goldberg, partner and senior counsel at Morgan Lewis;
  • Holly Gunner, longtime LGBTQ rights activist;
  • Justice (Ret.) Geraldine Hines, former justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court;
  • Hannah L. Kilson, partner at Nolan Sheehan Patten LLP;
  • Kim Marrkand, partner, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.;
  • Dr. Alexandra Piñeros Shields, executive director of the Essex County Community Organization;
  • Kevin Prussia, partner at WilmerHale;
  • Dr. Jocelyn Sargent, Executive Strategic Consultant to the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund;
  • Susan Whitehead, lifetime trustee of MIT and Whitehead Institute, and civic activist;
  • and Lisa Wong, town manager of Winchester and former Mayor of Fitchburg.

In addition to the new class of leaders, Nicki Nichols Gamble has been elected chair of the ACLU Foundation of Massachusetts. Attorney Kirsten Mayer is president of the Board of Directors, and attorney David Bowman of Morgan Lewis is vice president.

“In Massachusetts and around the country, the ACLU is leading the fight to defend our fundamental civil liberties,” said Gamble. “This new class of directors is equipped and eager to lead future battles to ensure everyone’s rights are protected. I’m thrilled to serve with such talented and dedicated advocates.”

“The ACLU has been part of every important battle for civil liberties in the last 100 years,” said Mayer. “Here in Massachusetts, the organization has proven itself as an invaluable voice in the fight for civil rights. I am honored to work alongside ACLU members, my peers on the board, and staff.”

“Faced with a shifting political and judicial landscape, the lingering effects of a pandemic, and a long-overdue racial reckoning, it is essential that those in leadership intimately understand the work ahead,” said Bowman. “I look forward to working with the new class of directors to continue the ACLU of Massachusetts’ work toward justice, fairness, and equality for all.”

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

For more information about the ACLU of Massachusetts, go to:

http://www.aclum.org