Honoring Elaine Weddington Steward, Senior Vice President & Assistant General Counsel, FSG Boston

On April 12, 2023, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice honored Elaine Weddington Steward with its 2023 Good Apple Award. A trailblazer throughout her historic career, Elaine’s extraordinary dedication to public service and social justice demonstrates the important role the legal community has in creating profound and positive change. As a civic leader, a mentor to many, and a champion of diversity and inclusion, she is truly a good apple.

The event provides core funding for MA Appleseed’s work throughout the year, helping fight for a just, fair future where all Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and thrive.

2023 Good Apple Award Reception Event Program

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance and recipient of the 2021 Good Apple Award.

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA – On October 14, 2021, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice honored Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance, with its 14th annual Good Apple Award. Enrique Colbert, General Counsel of Wayfair and recipient of the 2020 Good Apple Award, was also recognized during the event program following the cancellation of last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each year, Massachusetts Appleseed presents the Good Apple Award to a member of the Massachusetts legal or business community who exemplifies the organization’s commitment to public service, fairness, and social justice. This year’s event was held virtually and raised more than $300,000. The Good Apple Award Reception serves as Massachusetts Appleseed’s annual fundraiser and provides core funding for the advocacy organization’s work to expand equitable access to justice and opportunity for families and youth.

“Karen sets the very highest bar for members of the legal community – an unyielding commitment to the pursuit of social justice, excellence in the law, and an unwavering belief that we lawyers have an essential role to play in fostering a future where justice is achievable for all,” said Melanie Todman, Chair of Massachusetts Appleseed’s Board of Directors. “We were so thrilled to be joined by Karen’s wide circle of colleagues, friends, and family to thank her for all she does, and we ended the evening inspired by her call to action and words of wisdom.”

As Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance, Karen Morton leads a team of approximately 180 compliance professionals in 29 countries and economies around the world. During her career at Liberty Mutual, which commenced in 2006, Ms. Morton also served as the Deputy General Counsel for the Litigation and Coverage Group and Vice President and Counsel for Employment, Benefits and Executive Compensation and Corporate Real Estate. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, Ms. Morton was an attorney with John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation. Ms. Morton received her B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, and is a member of the Board for Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a non-profit agency which serves homeless and at-risk youth. She has also received numerous awards for championing diversity and inclusion.

“The recent pandemic and social justice issues in our country have shown us that there is still much work that needs to be done,” said Ms. Morton. “As legal practitioners, we are uniquely positioned to provide the expertise and support to create real change.”

Wayne Budd, Senior Counsel at Goodwin Procter LLP, introduced Ms. Morton during the event and spoke of her extraordinary leadership, remarking, “Service to the public, seeker of social justice, and a steadfast dedication to assisting in the achievement of fairness and equity have been the hallmarks of her life.”

The event also highlighted one of Massachusetts Appleseed’s key projects, the Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook, a know-your-rights guide designed to help youth experiencing homelessness overcome legal barriers and build safe, stable futures. Made possible through partnerships with numerous community organizations and pro bono partners, including Champion sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance, Massachusetts Appleseed is now delivering know-your-rights trainings to create a stronger legal safety net for vulnerable youth around the state.

“As we work to build pathways out of crisis for families and youth across Massachusetts, it has never been more important to take the time to recognize the leaders in our legal community guiding the way,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of Massachusetts Appleseed. “Karen’s commitment to building a better, fairer world inspires us every day, and we are so proud to present her with this year’s Good Apple Award.”

Recent past recipients of the Good Apple Award include Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank, Senator William “Mo” Cowan, former President of Global Government Affairs and Policy at GE; and Jonathan Chiel, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Fidelity Investments.

Massachusetts Appleseed thanks the many generous supporters of the 14th annual Good Apple Award Reception, including Champion sponsor Liberty Mutual Insurance and Sustainer sponsors WilmerHale, Fidelity Investments, Goodwin Procter LLP, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates.

Champion Sponsor

About Massachusetts Appleseed

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. The nonprofit researches and identifies the ways in which the justice system, schools, and government agencies have systematically failed impoverished and vulnerable communities, challenges harmful public policies that perpetuate injustices and inequities, advocates for statewide policy solutions, and develops know-your-rights resources for those impacted. (https://massappleseed.org)

Save the Date!
October 14, 2021
6:00 PM
Virtual

Following an extraordinarily difficult year and in the wake of unprecedented challenges, it’s thanks to our community of support that we’ve been able to expand our work to end the systemic injustices and inequities harming our most vulnerable families and youth.

Now, it’s time to come together and celebrate!

Please save the date for Massachusetts Appleseed’s 2021 Good Apple Award Reception on October 14th. This year, we are thrilled to recognize and honor Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance and recipient of the 2021 Good Apple Award!

Join us for this virtual celebration in the fall, and see below for details on tickets and sponsorship opportunities!

 

ABOUT THIS YEAR’S RECIPIENT OF THE GOOD APPLE AWARD, KAREN MORTON:

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance

Karen Morton, Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer for Liberty Mutual Insurance and recipient of the 2021 Good Apple Award.

As the Global Chief Compliance Officer, Karen and her team are responsible for the enterprise compliance strategy and policies, compliance training, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, conflicts of interest, regulatory investigations, oversight of market conduct examinations, privacy, financial crimes and the operational risk assessment process. Karen leads a team of approximately 180 compliance professionals in 29 countries and economies around the world.

Prior to her current role, Karen was the Deputy General Counsel for the Litigation and Coverage Group at Liberty Mutual. In this role she was responsible for the management of a team of legal professionals who handled litigation brought against Liberty Mutual Group and its member companies, oversaw various regulatory investigations, provided enterprise-wide coverage advice and opinions, managed electronic discovery services in support of litigation and all third-party subpoenas for the enterprise.

During her career at Liberty Mutual, which commenced in 2006, Ms. Morton also served as Vice President and Counsel for Employment, Benefits and Executive Compensation and Corporate Real Estate.

Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, Ms. Morton was an attorney with John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation. She held the position of Vice President and Counsel, responsible for the management of the Company’s litigation and employment law functions. Ms. Morton previously held various legal positions in the public sector.

Ms. Morton is a member of the Board of Trustees for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, where she serves as the Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee and is a member of the Board for Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a non-profit agency which serves homeless and at-risk youth.

Ms. Morton received her B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. She has also received numerous awards for championing diversity and inclusion.

We will also be recognizing Enrique Colbert, General Counsel of Wayfair and recipient of the 2020 Good Apple Award, following the cancellation of last year’s event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join us for this virtual celebration and please contribute generously! Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened systemic injustices and sent Massachusetts families and youth spiraling further into poverty and crisis. At Massachusetts Appleseed, we’ve risen to meet this moment across multiple fronts – investigating inequitable access to the courts and educational opportunity, delivering know-your-rights resources and trainings, organizing to defend the legal rights of our most vulnerable communities, and more. 

The annual Good Apple Award Reception provides core funding for Massachusetts Appleseed’s work throughout the year, ensuring we can respond to urgent community needs and seize opportunities for action. Help us reach our $250,000 goal by sponsoring this event or making a personal donation.

Celebrate the good with us!

 

Please contact Madeline Poage, Development and Communications Associate, at madeline@massappleseed.org with any questions.

 

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Enrique Colbert, Good Apple Award Recipient

Enrique Colbert, Good Apple Award Recipient

Save the Date!

March 26, 2020
6:00 pm Reception
7:00 pm Award Ceremony
Boston Harbor Hotel, Wharf Room

13th Annual Good Apple Award

On Thursday, March 26th, 2020 Massachusetts Appleseed will host its 13th annual Good Apple Reception at the Boston Harbor Hotel. We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Good Apple Award will be Enrique Colbert, General Counsel of Wayfair.

The Good Apple Award is presented annually to a member of the legal or business community who exemplifies MA Appleseed’s commitment to public service, fairness, and social justice. As in past years, we expect hundreds of members of the legal community to attend and honor a leader who has demonstrated unerring dedication to standing up for Massachusetts’ most vulnerable communities.

Enrique Colbert serves as the General Counsel of Wayfair, one of the world’s largest online destinations for the home. Prior to Wayfair, Enrique was General Counsel of Aveksa, Inc., an enterprise software company in Waltham, MA that was acquired by EMC Corporation in 2013. Before Aveksa, Enrique was General Counsel of Blue Cod Technologies, an IT and business process outsourcing and software company located in Marlborough, MA. He began his legal career at the law firm Goodwin Procter in Boston and earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.

Active in a number of civic and charitable pursuits, Enrique serves as a member of Boston Medical Center’s Board of Trustees and as Co-Chair of the Winter Walk in Boston, an annual event that aims to end homelessness in Greater Boston. Through his role as a Vice-Chair of City Year Boston’s Legal Community Breakfast and his work initiating Wayfair’s longstanding partnership with Citizen Schools, Enrique is committed to addressing inequities in education and equipping young people with the skills and guidance they need to thrive in school and beyond. Enrique similarly helped establish Wayfair’s relationship with Apprenti, an organization that works to build a pipeline for underrepresented groups such as minorities, women, and veterans to gain training, certification, and placement within the tech industry, collaborating with others to help launch the first technology-focused registered apprenticeship program in Massachusetts. He is also a member of the New Jersey Judiciary Opportunities for Building Success (“JOBS”) Committee, an initiative that assists individuals who are serving probation in New Jersey with obtaining jobs and job-building skills.

Enrique lives in West Roxbury with his wife Jessie and their three children, Flora, Ollie, and EJ.

For sponsorship opportunities or tickets, click here. Please contact Madeline Poage at madeline@massappleseed.org with any questions.

2020 Good Apple Reception Save the Date
Save the Date (PDF)

2020 Good Apple Award Recipient (PDF)

Bob Rivers, Good Apple Award Recipient (Photo By: Greg M. Cooper / Eastern Bank)

For Immediate Release

Honoring Bob Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank

Boston, MA – On March 28, 2019, the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (“MA Appleseed”) honored Bob Rivers with its 12th annual Good Apple Award. MA Appleseed also celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special cocktail hour, which was followed by the award reception at 6:00 pm in the Wharf Room at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Each year, MA Appleseed presents the “Good Apple” award to someone in the Massachusetts business or legal community who exemplifies the principles of social justice and equal opportunity on which MA Appleseed was itself founded. This year marks the first time that a member of the business community has been honored with the “Good Apple” award. The event, which serves as Massachusetts Appleseed’s annual fundraiser, raises money to support the organization’s program and outreach efforts.

“What a great evening we had, with so many friends and colleagues of our honoree, Bob Rivers, gathered to remind us why he is such an important leader in our community,” said Martha A. Mazzone, chair of the Board of Directors of MA Appleseed. “When Bob addressed the assembled guests, his inspirational words about fairness and speaking truth to power were perfectly aligned with Appleseed’s mission to correct systemic social inequities. Mincing no words, he made it clear that he will never stop being a champion for social justice and putting his words into action wherever he can.”

Rivers is Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank, America’s oldest and largest mutual bank and the largest independent community bank headquartered in Massachusetts with $11 billion in assets and over 115 locations. He is also Chair of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and The Dimock Center.

“It is a great honor to receive this award from Massachusetts Appleseed, especially as it celebrates its 25th anniversary, and to join the past honorees in promoting equal rights for all,” Bob Rivers said. “I am humbled to be recognized by an organization that understands demonstrating true equal access and opportunity for all people is both a moral and business imperative. Thank you to Massachusetts Appleseed for this very special honor and award presentation.”

Named after the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Rivers’ passion for advocating for social justice causes and sustainability issues is the result of a personal and professional journey that began early in his life. He has been recognized by many organizations for his work in championing diversity and social justice, including The Boston Globe, The Partnership, Get Konnected!, Color Magazine, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), the Asian American Civic Association (AACA), Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), El Planeta, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, The Theater Offensive, and MassINC.

Featured speaker at the event, the Honorable Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, remarked, “As someone named for my father, Robert Kennedy, Bob Rivers certainly bears his legacy well. Bob has an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of social justice and leads Eastern Bank with an extraordinary vision of equity. I am so glad to have been able to help celebrate Massachusetts Appleseed’s 25th anniversary and to present Bob with the Good Apple Award.”

“Bob is a champion of social justice and a force for good in Massachusetts. He represents the absolute best of our corporate community and we couldn’t be happier to present him with the 2019 Good Apple Award,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of MA Appleseed.

The Sustainer sponsors of this event include the Board of Directors of Massachusetts Appleseed and Past Good Apple Honorees.

Recent past recipients of the Good Apple award include Senator William “Mo” Cowan, President of Global Government Affairs and Policy at GE; Jonathan Chiel, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Fidelity Investments; Jeffrey N. Carp, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of State Street Corporation; Stephanie S. Lovell, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; Lon F. Povich, former Executive Vice President and General Counsel of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.; Susan H. Alexander, Chief Legal Officer of Biogen Idec; and Paul T. Dacier, former General Counsel of EMC Corporation (now Dell).

Champion Sponsor

About the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice:

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote social justice and equal rights for Massachusetts’ residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to issues of systemic inequality.

At Massachusetts Appleseed, we dedicate ourselves to remedying social injustices for at-risk and underserved children, youth, and adults residing within our state. Working with volunteer lawyers, community partners, and others, we identify and address gaps in services and opportunities in areas such as education, homelessness, and the accessibility of the Massachusetts court system. Through in-depth research, consensus building, and community problem solving, we develop powerful solutions for reforming the systems and structures responsible for injustice. Our work seeks to level the playing field and transform communities. Every year we honor someone in the business or legal profession equally committed to these principles through our “Good Apple” award.

Honoring Robert F. Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank

On March 28, 2019, the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (“MA Appleseed”) honored Robert F. Rivers with its 12th annual Good Apple Award. Each year, MA Appleseed presents the “Good Apple” award to someone in the Massachusetts business or legal community who demonstrates the principles of social justice and equal opportunity that MA Appleseed was itself founded on. The event, which serves as Massachusetts Appleseed’s annual fundraiser, raises money to support the organization’s program and outreach efforts.

2019 Good Apple Award Recipient (PDF)
2019 Good Apple Invitation (PDF)

Robert F. Rivers, Good Apple Award Recipient

Save the Date!

March 28, 2019
6:00 pm Reception
7:00 pm Award Ceremony
Boston Harbor Hotel, Wharf Room

12th Annual Good Apple Award

On Thursday, March 28th 2019 Massachusetts Appleseed will host its 12th annual Good Apple reception at the Boston Harbor Hotel. We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Good Apple Award will be Robert F. Rivers, Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank.

The Good Apple Award is presented annually to one member of our Massachusetts business or legal community who exemplifies MA Appleseed’s commitment to public service, fairness, and social justice. Throughout his career, Bob has demonstrated his devotion to standing up for our most vulnerable communities. In his role as a civic leader, he inspires profound and positive change.

Bob is Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank, America’s oldest and largest mutual bank and the largest independent community bank headquartered in Massachusetts with $11 billion in assets and over 120 locations. He is also Chair of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and the Dimock Center.

Bob is involved extensively in the community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Jobs for Mass, and The Lowell Plan. He also is a member of the Board of Trustees of Stonehill College, the Northern Essex Community College Foundation,

the Board of Corporators of Lowell General Hospital, the Advisory Boards of the Lawrence Partnership and JFK Library Foundation, and is a member of the City of Boston’s Women’s Workforce Council, in addition to providing support and guidance to numerous other non-profit organizations. Bob has been named among the Top 10 “Most Influential People in Boston” by Boston Magazine, and to the Boston Business Journal Power 50 list for the last three years.

Named after the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Bob’s passion for advocating for social justice causes and sustainability issues is the result of a personal and professional journey that began early in his life. Bob has been recognized by many organizations for his work in championing diversity and social justice, including The Boston Globe, The Partnership, Get Konnected!, Color Magazine, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), the Asian American Civic Association (AACA), Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), El Planeta, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, The Theater Offensive, and MassINC.

For sponsorship opportunities or tickets, click here. Please contact Madeline Poage at madeline@massappleseed.org with any questions.


Save the Date (PDF)

2019 Good Apple Award Recipient (PDF)

Honoring Senator William “Mo” Cowan, Vice President of Litigation and Legal Policy of GE

On March 29, 2018, the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (“MA Appleseed”) honored former Senator William “Mo” Cowan with its 11th annual Good Apple Award. The event began with a reception, which began at 6:00 pm, in the Wharf Room at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Every year, MA Appleseed presents a “Good Apple” award to someone in the Massachusetts legal community who demonstrates the principles of social justice and equal opportunity that MA Appleseed was itself founded on. The event, which serves as Massachusetts Appleseed’s annual fundraiser, raises money to support the organization’s program and outreach efforts.

 

2018 Good Apple Award Recipient (PDF)
2018 Good Apple Invitation (PDF)

 

2018 Good Apple recipient Senator William "Mo" Cowan

2018 Good Apple recipient Senator William “Mo” Cowan

For Immediate Release

Honoring Senator William “Mo” Cowan, Vice President of Litigation and Legal Policy of GE

Boston, MA – On March 29, 2018, the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (“MA Appleseed”) honored former Senator William “Mo” Cowan with its 11th annual Good Apple Award. The event began with a reception, which began at 6:00 pm, in the Wharf Room at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Every year, MA Appleseed presents a “Good Apple” award to someone in the Massachusetts legal community who demonstrates the principles of social justice and equal opportunity that MA Appleseed was itself founded on. The event, which serves as Massachusetts Appleseed’s annual fundraiser, raises money to support the organization’s program and outreach efforts.

“We are thrilled and proud to present Senator Cowan with this year’s Good Apple Award,” said Martha Mazzone, chair of the Board of Directors of MA Appleseed. “Mo’s commitment to inclusion, justice and civic engagement – don’t turn your back on the system, work to improve it – mirrors the Appleseed mission perfectly. Add in his dedication to the Boston legal community, his huge circle of friends and family and colleagues and mentees, and he’s the perfect Good Apple recipient. Everyone wants a chance to say thank you to Mo.”

Featured speaker at the event, Attorney General Maura Healey remarked, “I am grateful to be able to recognize Massachusetts Appleseed for their critical work in developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues while celebrating this year’s Good Apple, my dear friend Mo Cowan. Mo is a champion for social justice whose life and legacy represents the best our community has to offer.”

Senator Cowan is a graduate of Duke University and Northeastern University School of Law. In 2013, he represented Massachusetts as interim U.S. Senator, filling the vacancy left by John F. Kerry when he was appointed Secretary of State. Senator Cowan served as Chief Legal Counsel, Chief of Staff, and Senior Advisor to the Governor in the administration of former Governor Deval L. Patrick and, in the Fall of 2013, Senator Cowan was a Fellow at the Harvard University Institute of Politics. In 2017 Sen. Cowan assumed the position of VP of Global Litigation and Legal Policy at GE, after having served Of Counsel to Mintz Levin and as President and CEO of ML Strategies.

“I am humbled to receive this great honor from the Appleseed Center,” Senator Cowan said. “I deeply appreciate the recognition and cherish the opportunity to be associated forever with an organization committed every day to social justice and the rule of law, and to follow in the footsteps of the distinguished past honorees. Thank you for helping me make my family proud!”

Senator Cowan is on the Board of Directors for Eastern Bank Corporation, Partners Healthcare, and is Co-Chair of the Greater Boston YMCA Board of Overseers. He further serves our community as a Trustee of Northeastern University, the Massachusetts General Hospital, and is a member of the Boston Club Corporate Advisory Board, Duke University Trinity Board of Visitors, Cambridge College President’s Council, and U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress.

Senator Cowan is an active civic leader committed to the same principles of inclusion and justice that is at the foundation of all of MA Appleseed’s work. When appointing Cowan to serve as interim U.S. Senator, former MA governor Deval Patrick described him as having “brought preparation, perspective, wisdom, sound judgment, and clarity of purpose” every step of the way, with the needs of Massachusetts’ residents always on the forefront of his mind.

“Mo’s evenhanded approach to difficult issues and his persistence in pursuing a better, fairer world is an inspiration to many. We are proud to present him with this year’s Good Apple Award,” said Deborah Silva, Executive Director of MA Appleseed.

2018 Good Apple Award Recipient (PDF)
2018 Good Apple Invitation (PDF)

 

Recent past recipients of the Good Apple award include Jonathan Chiel, Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Fidelity Investment; Paul Dacier, former General Counsel of EMC Corporation (now Dell); Susan Alexander, Chief Legal Officer of Biogen Idec; Lon F. Povich, Former Executive Vice President and General Counsel of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.; Stephanie S. Lovell, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; and Jeffrey N. Carp, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of State Street Corporation.

About the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice:

Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission is to promote social justice and equal rights for Massachusetts’ residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to issues of systemic inequality.

At Massachusetts Appleseed, we dedicate ourselves to remedying social injustices for at-risk and underserved children, youth, and adults residing within our state. Working with volunteer lawyers, community partners, and others, we identify and address gaps in services and opportunities in areas such as education, homelessness, and the accessibility of the Massachusetts court system. Through in-depth research, consensus building, and community problem solving, we develop powerful solutions for reforming the systems and structures responsible for injustice. Our work seeks to level the playing field and transform communities. Every year we honor someone in the legal professional equally committed to these principles through our “Good Apple” award.

 

Senator William "Mo" Cowan, Good Apple Award Recipient

Senator William “Mo” Cowan, Good Apple Award Recipient

Save the Date!

March 29, 2018
6:00 pm Reception
7:00 pm Award Ceremony
Boston Harbor Hotel, Wharf Room

11th Anniversary Good Apple Award

On Thursday, March 29th 2018 Massachusetts Appleseed will host its 11th annual Good Apple reception at the Boston Harbor Hotel. We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Good Apple Award will be Senator William “Mo” Cowan, Vice President of Litigation and Legal Policy of General Electric Company.

The Good Apple Award is presented annually to one member of our Massachusetts legal community who exemplifies MA Appleseed’s commitment to public service, fairness, and social justice. Throughout his career, Mo has demonstrated his dedication to serving the public. He is a civic leader, a mentor to many, and an inspiration to all, acting with optimism and an inclusive vision at a time when inclusivity is under threat.

Senator William “Mo” Cowan is Vice President, Litigation and Legal Policy at the General Electric Company, responsible for litigation, enforcement proceedings, investigations and compliance globally. Mo joined GE after serving Of Counsel to Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, PC (“Mintz Levin”) and as President and Chief Executive Officer of ML Strategies. In 2013, Mo represented the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as interim United States Senator, filling the vacancy created when John F. Kerry was appointed United States Secretary of State, and served as Chief Legal Counsel, Chief of Staff, and Senior Advisor to the Governor in the administration of former Governor Deval L. Patrick. Mo also served as a Fellow at the Harvard University Institute of Politics (Fall 2013). Mo is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and Duke University.

Active in numerous civic, educational and charitable pursuits, Mo is a Director of Eastern Bank Corporation, Partners Healthcare, and Co-Chair of the Greater Boston YMCA Board of Overseers. He serves as a Trustee of Northeastern University and the Massachusetts General Hospital, and is a member of the Boston Club Corporate Advisory Board, Cambridge College President’s Council, Duke University Trinity Board of Visitors, and U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress. Mo is a “Good Apple” in the truest sense.

For sponsorship opportunities or tickets, please contact Madeline Poage at madeline@massappleseed.org.

2018 Good Apple-Save the Date
Save the Date (PDF)
2018 Good Apple Award Recipient (PDF)
2018 Good Apple Invitation (PDF)