Discovering Justice Staff
Emily Dall’Orso believes in the power of object- and place-based learning to engage students of all ages in American history, civics, democracy, and the work towards a more equitable society. She has developed and led field trips, tours, and programming across a variety of museums and unique spaces, including a historic cemetery and a nineteenth century water pumping station, and is excited to add âfederal courthouseâ to that list. Emily earned a BA in American Identities and Storytelling from the CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies and earned her MSEd in Learning and Engagement in Museums and Cultural Organizations at Bank Street College of Education.
For more than three decades, Matt Wilson has built and run community-based initiatives for a healthier and more vibrant Massachusetts. As a nonprofit executive, community organizer, public advocate, fundraiser, and trainer, Wilson has worked with residents to help them vision, realize, and build their capacity and power for change.
Wilson was the founding Executive Director of MASSCreative, the statewide advocacy voice for Massachusettsâ arts, cultural, and creative community. Under his direction MASSCreative grew to more than 400 organizational members with 25,000 individuals taking part in public education and advocacy actions. In his tenure, arts funding in the Commonwealth doubled and his advocacy work helped implement state policies to increase access and participation to quality arts education.
As the Director of Toxics Action Center Wilson built the organization from scratch to a New England-wide resource for hundreds of neighborhoods working to protect themselves from environmental pollution threats.
Wilson graduated from Dartmouth College and earned a Masters of Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Central to everything Laura does are students and the belief that with authentic, collaborative relationships and a reflective, responsive, innovative approach to instruction and curriculum, public education is a pathway towards liberation for all students, and to a more just and equitable world. She is committed to problem solving with teachers and district leaders, facilitating professional development and designing engaging educational opportunities that build elementary studentsâ civic identities, critical skills, and global awareness. Before becoming a nonprofit leader with Discovering Justice, Laura worked for seven years as an elementary school teacher and instructional leader in Boston. She is a graduate of Simmons University, where she earned her Bachelors in Psychology and her Masters in Teaching. Most recently, she graduated from UPenn Graduate School of Education with her Masters in School Leadership and a principal certificate while spending a year as principal intern in Cambridge, MA.
Kiley Hartman is passionate about providing students with the knowledge necessary to navigate an increasingly complex justice system. Central to this passion is the belief that education is liberation and should be accessible to all students. As a former Mock Trial participant herself, Kiley believes Mock Trial to be an excellent tool to foster student confidence and autonomy. Before joining Discovering Justice, Kiley worked as a middle school teacher in the Greater Boston Area. She graduated from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Government and a double minor in Religious Studies and Womenâs and Gender Studies.
Victoria is interested in problem-solving to create impactful and accessible learning experiences that will promote justice ideals and foster the spirit of student change-makers. As Discovering Justiceâs K-5 Curriculum Developer, she supports teachers in creating meaningful and valuable learning experiences that develop knowledgeable and effective student advocates. Previously, Victoria spent six years as an elementary educator with experience in social-emotional and inquiry-based learning experiences. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky, and an M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on instructional technology from the University of Virginia.
Katherine Susich believes strongly in the role of democracy and civic education in mitigating social conflict and building prosperous, inclusive communities. Before joining Discovering Justice, she worked as the Program Associate for the Consortium on Gender, Security, and Human Rights at the University of Massachusetts â Boston. Katherine graduated from The Catholic University of America with degrees in History and World Politics, and earned a masterâs degree in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice from Queenâs University Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Emily Duggan believes in the importance of experiential learning programs to help young people explore new perspectives, environments, and ideas. A poet and performer, Emily is proud to have supported communications and development initiatives for a variety of local nonprofits. She earned a BA in Creative Writing from Brandeis University, with graduate study in Theatre Education at Emerson College and Writing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Kayla Nordman believes strongly in expanding access to comprehensive civic education to provide the next generation with the resources they need to uphold and expand upon the values of American democracy and create a more equitable future. Before joining Discovering Justice, she worked as a Legislative Intern at the Massachusetts State House and as a Program Manager for the Massachusetts Center for Civic Education. Kayla graduated from Suffolk University with a BA in International Relations.
