DONATE NOW
DONATE NOW

Discovering Justice Events

OUR PROGRAMS

Her Honor: Stories of Challenge and Triumph from Women Judges

Wednesday, April 26th, 3:30-5:30 pm | Hybrid

This panel discussion and book signing event on the collection of the same name tells the stories of 25 women judges and their paths and experiences on the bench. Lauren Stiller Rikleen, who edited the book, is a former Discovering Justice Board Member and current Director of Lawyers Defending American Democracy.

Moderated by Judge Patti Saris, join us for a panel discussion between Lauren Stiller Rikleen, Judge Nancy Gertner (Ret.), Justice Fernande R. V. Duffly (Ret.), and Judge Angel Kelley. They will discuss the inequalities, bias, and other barriers that stood in the way of some of our most influential women judges and how they overcame them.

This event is hosted by Discovering Justice, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the U.S Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, the Hampden County Bar Association, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, and the Harvard Women’s Law Association.

Welcome

Abim Thomas | Abim Thomas is Vice President and Associate General Counsel in the Litigation group at Fidelity Investments. Prior to Fidelity, Abim was the Head of Global Litigation at Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. Abim is a former member of the Boston Bar Association Council, the former President of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, and the former Vice Chair of Massachusetts’ Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Oversight Committee. Abim serves on the Board of Discovering Justice and the Ella Lyman Cabot Trust.

Moderator

Judge Patti Saris | United States District Judge Patti B. Saris graduated from Radcliffe College in 1973 and Harvard Law School in 1976. She clerked for the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, then went into private practice. In 1986, Judge Saris became a United States Magistrate Judge. In 1989, she was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court. In 1994, she was appointed to the United States District Court by President Clinton, serving as Chief Judge from 2013 to 2019. She became chair of the United States Sentencing Commission in January 2011.

Panelists

Lauren Stiller Rikleen | Lauren Stiller Rikleen brings an extraordinary background to her work as President of the Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership as an author, former law firm partner, mediator, and a leader in professional and community organizations. Rikleen is an expert on millennials in the workplace and building strong teams. She is the author of four books, more than 200 articles, and is the editor of “Her Honor: Stories of Challenge and Triumph from Women Judges.” 

Justice Fernande V. Duffly (Ret.) | Judge Fernande R.V. Duffly earned a B.A. from the University of Connecticut in 1973 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1978. As an attorney, she provided pro bono legal services to indigent clients through the Volunteer Lawyers Project. In 1992, Justice Duffly was appointed to the Probate and Family Court, where she served until her appointment to the Appeals Court in 2000. In 2011, Governor Deval Patrick appointed her as an associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.

Judge Nancy Gertner | Judge Nancy Gertner is a graduate of Barnard College and Yale Law School where she was an editor of The Yale Law Journal. She received her M.A. in Political Science at Yale University. Since 1998, she has been an instructor at Yale Law School, teaching sentencing and comparative sentencing institutions. In 1994, President Clinton appointed her to the United States District Court Judge for the District of Massachusetts. In September of 2011, Judge Gertner retired from the federal bench and became part of the faculty of the Harvard Law School

Judge Angel Kelley | Angel Kelley is a United States District Court Judge for the District of Massachusetts. Nominated in 2021 by President Biden, Judge Kelley joined the federal judiciary after twelve years as an Associate Justice of the Superior Court and state District Court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Judge Kelley is a graduate of Colgate University, earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, and received an LL.M. from Temple University School of Law.

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.