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Massachusetts Appleseed Strengthens Leadership with Three New Board Appointments as Organization Prepares to Deepen Its Impact

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 28, 2025

Boston, MA — Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is pleased to announce the addition of three distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors: McKenzi Baker, who joined the Board in September 2025, and Devin Cohen and Amy Fabiano, who joined in December 2025.These new Board members bring a wealth of professional experience, insight, and commitment to justice that will strengthen Massachusetts Appleseed’s work to remove barriers and advance systemic solutions for communities across the Commonwealth.

McKenzi Baker, Feinberg Hanson LLP

McKenzi Baker is a corporate attorney at Feinberg Hanson LLP, where she partners with entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and investors to navigate complex corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, financing, governance, and strategic investments. She previously served as an associate in the corporate group at Cooley LLP and has been recognized for her leadership, including being named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Boston.

 

 

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/devin-cohen-40a8a72b/

Devin Cohen, Proskauer Rose LLP

Devin Cohen is a partner in the Corporate Department and a member of the Health Care Group at Proskauer Rose LLP, based in Boston, where he counsels leading health care organizations, insurers, and private equity sponsors on complex transactional and regulatory matters. His practice includes advising on strategic investments, mergers and acquisitions, value-based care arrangements, and regulatory compliance across the health care industry. Devin’s passion for health care extends to his community service and pro bono efforts in the Boston area, including working on the Health Care chapter of the Homeless Youth Handbook.

 

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-fabiano-a5604722/

Amy Fabiano, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Amy Fabiano is a senior attorney with deep expertise in higher education law, labor and employment, civil rights, Title IX compliance, and institutional governance. She currently serves on the higher education and labor and employment teams at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, where she counsels colleges, universities, and independent schools on complex regulatory and compliance matters. She previously served as Associate General Counsel at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and as a Civil Rights Attorney with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

 

 

“We are deeply grateful to welcome McKenzi, Devin, and Amy to the Massachusetts Appleseed Board,” said John Shutkin, Board Chair of Massachusetts Appleseed. “Each of them brings valuable expertise, thoughtful leadership, and a strong commitment to equity and justice. Their perspectives will be instrumental as we continue to grow our impact and advance bold solutions for the communities we serve.” With the addition of these new members, the Massachusetts Appleseed Board of Directors now comprises 22 individuals.

 

Looking ahead to 2026, the organization anticipates a year marked by substantial impact and strategic growth, with a continued emphasis on strengthening Board capacity through the expertise of existing members and the insights of newly appointed leaders.

“Heading into 2026, we are energized by the strength and breadth of our Board,” said Ranjini Govender Dowley, the organization’s President & Executive Director. “Together, we are building the capacity needed to meet ambitious goals and drive meaningful, lasting change.” Massachusetts Appleseed staff is proud to work alongside a dedicated Board that reflects a broad range of skills, experiences, and commitment to justice, and looks forward to the contributions these new members will make in the years ahead.

 

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About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice  

MA Appleseed is driven by a mission to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. Through policy analysis and research, coalition building, education and training, community organizing, and advocacy, the nonprofit seeks systems-level change so all Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and thrive. Responding to emerging and enduring inequities, MA Appleseed addresses an array of complex issues including self-representation in the civil justice system, language access for immigrant families, the school-to-prison pipeline, and youth homelessness. To explore recent research, find resources, sign up for opportunities to take action, or donate, please visit massappleseed.org.   

 

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Appleseed Celebrates Successful 17th Annual Good Apple Awards, Honoring Leaders Advancing Justice, Equity, and Access

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 19, 2025

 

Massachusetts Appleseed Celebrates Successful 17th Annual Good Apple Awards, Honoring Leaders Advancing Justice, Equity, and Access

Boston, MA –

The Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice gathered a vibrant community of changemakers at the 2025 Good Apple Awards, held last week in Boston. The event drew over 120 supporters, partners, and community leaders dedicated to expanding justice and equity across the Commonwealth. The program highlighted the critical issues facing communities statewide including: youth homelessness, the school-to-prison pipeline, and the barriers non-English speakers face interacting with government systems. The evening also served as a call to action, emphasizing Massachusetts Appleseed’s mission to mobilize a broad movement for systemic change across the state. Massachusetts Appleseed extends its gratitude to the event’s supporters, honorary host committee chairs, and the broader community whose partnership makes this work possible.

Distinguished guests included Former U.S. Senator Mo Cowan and Retired Partner at Ropes & Gray Diane Patrick, both of whom supported the event as Honorary Co-Chairs. The evening highlighted the urgent need for accessible, equitable legal systems and celebrated the collective power of advocacy, storytelling, and community partnership.

James Parker, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Boston Celtics and recipient of the 2025 Good Apple Award, reflected on the enduring impact of working with youth experiencing homelessness during his college years:

“Some were runaways, hoping to make it big as a musician or actor in Hollywood. Others were forced onto the streets by unsupportive parents. They shared with me the challenges of living without a home and traditional support network—particularly legal challenges like evictions and citations for loitering. I quickly realized that for many, it was their circumstances that played the biggest factor in their lives. I’ve kept these lessons in mind ever since—that meeting people where they are with compassion and curiosity leads to a better understanding.”

Ursula Furi-Perry, Staff Attorney at the Lowell Court Service Center and recipient of the inaugural Community Leadership Award, received a standing ovation for her commitment to advocacy in both her professional work and volunteer service:

“The work I do with youth experiencing homelessness is fueled by the truth I lived: that potential is everywhere, but access is not. And when we remove barriers, when we expand legal protections, and when we take the time to simply listen to young people, we change not just individual futures, but entire communities.”

Representing Ropes & Gray LLP as the firm accepted the inaugural Pro Bono Champion Award, Rosalyn Garbose Nasdor, Director & Pro Bono Counsel, highlighted the shared responsibility within the legal profession to advance the common good:

“As attorneys, we have a responsibility to use our legal skills to help families who can’t afford lawyers and to promote access to justice. And we benefit from the work as well—it helps us to build community, and to recruit, train, and empower our lawyers.”

The 2025 Good Apple Awards underscored the transformative impact that legal advocacy, community partnerships, and barrier-breaking initiatives can have on families and young people across Massachusetts.

Individuals who were unable to attend the event can still contribute to MA Appleseed’s mission by donating at massappleseed.org/donate. Contributions support ongoing efforts to dismantle systemic injustice and expand equitable access to resources and opportunities throughout Massachusetts.

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About Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice  

MA Appleseed is driven by a mission to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues. Through policy analysis and research, coalition building, education and training, community organizing, and advocacy, the nonprofit seeks systems-level change so all Massachusetts families and youth can exercise their legal rights, build pathways out of poverty and crisis, and thrive. Responding to emerging and enduring inequities, MA Appleseed addresses an array of complex issues including self-representation in the civil justice system, language access for immigrant families, the school-to-prison pipeline, and youth homelessness. To learn more about the 2025 Good Apple Reception, explore recent research, or donate, please visit massappleseed.org.