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July 2024
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Goodwin Procter: Partner for Justice

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Goodwin Procter: 2024 Partner for Justice Awardee

From left, Goodwin’s Deborah Birnbach, Marieljane Bastien, and Louis Lobel accept the 2024 Partner for Justice Award at our 2024 Gala on June 26th. Photo by Meredith Nierman.  

Discovering Justice is fortunate to have corporate, philanthropic foundations, individual donors, and school district supporters who all come together with the resources we need to do our work.

Goodwin Procter is one such partner. Goodwin’s generous and consistent financial support of Discovering Justice’s work has provided us with the capacity to grow from an idea to one of the foremost civic education groups in the Commonwealth.

For the passion, perspective, and energy Goodwin brings to our partnership, Discovering Justice was proud to present Goodwin Procter with our 2024 Partner for Justice Award at our Annual Gala 2024: Partners for Justice on June 26th.

For more than over 20 years, Goodwin’s attorneys and staff have volunteered their time and expertise to our programs, most notably as Legal Mentors in our Mock Trial and Mock Appeal teams in Boston. This spring, Goodwin attorneys mentored middle school teams from St. John’s Parochial School in Boston and North Middle School in Brockton.

And Goodwin’s leadership has been vital to Discovering Justice’s direction and growth. We’re proud to name Goodwin’s Deborah Birnbach as former Chair of Discovering Justice’s Board of Trustees, and Marieljane Bastien and Louis Lobel as current Board Members.

Marieljane Bastien, of Goodwin and Discovering Justice's Board of Trustees, applauds a student speaker at our 2023 Gala. Photo by Reba Saldanha.

Accepting Goodwin’s award last week, Birnbach and Lobel commended the work of Discovering Justice as essential to building future leaders, noting that our programs help prepare the young people not only of Boston but across the Commonwealth to explore the justice system firsthand and start to become active, engaged participants in our democracy and affirming that “Goodwin is proud to support that work.”

Louis Lobel, also of Discovering Justice’s Board of Trustees and Goodwin, introduces a student speaker at last year's Gala. Photo by Reba Saldanha.

Our partnership with Goodwin proves that when we come together and all bring what we can to the table, we can all reach further, aim higher, and help build a stronger future for our students. Thank you, Goodwin Procter!

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Alexandra

Alexandra vonBallmoos

Alex has over fifteen years of administrative experience, most recently at Boston Schools Fund. Prior to her time at BSF, she served as an Executive Assistant to the Head of School at Mother Caroline Academy, where she also provided major support to the Development office. Before her time at MCA, Alex served as an assistant at a media firm in Washington, DC.

This role oversees financial operations such as reconciliations, expense tracking, payroll, and donor acknowledgments, while managing organizational systems, employee records, and meeting coordination. It also provides event logistics, Board support, and office management, ensuring efficient processes, accurate recordkeeping, and the successful execution of programs, operations, and special events like the annual Spring Gala.

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan has spent nearly her entire 20+ year career dedicated to providing students with access to high-quality education experiences that lead to strong academic outcomes. She brings extensive and diverse experiences as a teacher, school administrator, funder, and nonprofit professional. Rana is committed to Discovering Justice’s mission to enable students to become well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and desire to build and sustain an equitable democracy.

Prior to Discovering Justice, Rana spent seven years at Boston Schools Fund, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. She co-led the development of the organization’s second fund, and ensured its operationalization across the organization. Previously, Rana played pivotal roles at organizations such as Salsify, Phoenix Charter Academy, The Achievement Network, and Roxbury Prep Charter School. Rana graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Psychology. She earned her Master’s in Education Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Mehana Koch

Mehana Koch is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned a BA in Psychology. She joined Discovering Justice excited to learn about nonprofit operations and support an organization whose mission uplifts and empowers future engaged citizens.

At Discovering Justice, Mehana enjoys supporting both the administrative and fundraising needs of the organization. Her day-to-day work includes processing donations, reconciling accounting information, and maintaining a strong database. She also has played a large role in onboarding new staff and supporting large organization-wide events, such as the Annual Gala.

Bianca Lora

Bianca Lora is passionate about expanding access to civic education, uplifting historically underrepresented voices, and creating spaces where young people can grow as informed and active members of their communities. With a background spanning across organizing, policy, and fundraising, she brings a collaborative spirit to the work.

Prior to this role, she led cross-departmental initiatives for donors at the ACLU of Massachusetts, including its 800-person annual gala. Bianca has also served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for a Councilmember At-Large in Montgomery County, Maryland where she oversaw a legislative portfolio on government operations, economic development, public safety and social justice issues. She also launched an organizing campaign alongside the adjunct faculty at Prince George’s Community College with SEIU.