Public & Civic Engagement
My project as an academic is of a piece with my project as a member of the public and civic society. I have been volunteering to support non-profits relating to child care and education since I began practicing law. Since I moved back to Massachusetts to live in Amherst, I have been appointed to serve the municipal government through its committees. I see entrepreneurship on a continuum with these activities as a venue for community support and innovation.
NGOs
In 2005, I joined my first non-profit board, the Early Childhood Center in Springfield, MA. When my kids started nursery school in Philadelphia, I joined the board, serving as Vice-President. In Washington, DC, I once again volunteered to serve my kids’ school, the Oyster-Adams Bilingual School, becoming Community Liaison and then Chair of the parent-guardian organization. In Amherst, I served one term on the board of the Amherst Education Fund.
While I am currently serve on two Town of Amherst committees, I am open to opportunities to support non-profits as a volunteer or as an adviser through Metalawyer.
Government
Returning to Massachusetts in 2018, I was excited to serve the public and our governments. Amherst had just changed to a city form of government, creating several new commissions, including the Board of License Commissioners to which I was appointed as an inaugural member. I was appointed to serve as a member of Amherst’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2024 and was elected to serve as chair soon thereafter. Please reach out to me with ideas and suggestions for increasing housing affordability.
Entrepreneurship
While my academic and public service obligations keep me busy, I am always enthusiastic about opportunities to learn about and support, if not participate in, entrepreneurship.
History of Engagements
Chair @ Amherst Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Board of Trustees
2024 - Present
■ Appointed volunteer to Town's Municipal Affordable Housing Trust and tasked with promoting affordable housing in Amherst.
Member @ Amherst Board of License Commissioners
2019 - Present
■Appointed volunteer to Town's inaugural License Commission, responsible for regulating and issuing alcohol and other licenses.
Chair & Community Liaison, Community Council @
Oyster-Adams Bilingual School, Washington D.C.
2015 - 2018
■ Chair of parent-guardian-community Council with over $250k budget to supplement city funding, including teacher classroom money and specials teachers 2017-2018.
■ As Community Liaison 2016-2018, facilitated discussion of parent and teacher concerns and projects by connecting the school administration with the Community Council and mobilizing action with the City Council.
■ At Large Member, 2015-2016.
Vice-President, Board of Directors @
St. Mary's Nursery School, Philadelphia
2010 - 2014
■ In addition to governance role, helped renegotiate School's lease with church-landlord; purchase first school bus; launch formal scholarship program.
Board Member @ Early Childhood Education Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
2005 - 2006