WBA

Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
105 Chauncy Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
Ph: 617.973.6666 Fax: 617.973.6663

wba@womensbar.org       www.womensbar.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Alexandra Mitropoulos
President
Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts
amitropoulos@hrwlawyers.com
Margaret Talmers
Executive Director
Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts
(617) 973-6666
mtalmers@womensbar.org

2025 Women's Leadership Initiative: Honoring Mary K. Ryan

BOSTON, MA ––
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Applications are Open for the 2025 Mary K. Ryan Women's Leadership Initiative

Earlier this year, we mourned the loss of Mary K. Ryan, a former WBA President, Board Member, Emeritus Board Member and partner at Nutter. Throughout her career, Mary displayed a deep commitment to promoting women in the profession, evidenced by her strong, continued connection to the WBA's Women's Leadership Initiative as a mentor, co-chair and senior chair. To honor her, the WBA is pleased to announce that from this year forward, the WBA's Women's Leadership Initiative, a program that brings together senior women attorneys and up and coming starts of the legal profession for leadership development and mentoring, will be now named the Mary K. Ryan Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI).  We are excited to also announce that Nutter, where Mary successfully practiced for so many years, will host the WLI's kickoff event going forward.

The WLI was launched in 2009 by a group of leaders in our legal community eager to give back to the next generation of promising women attorneys. WLI alumni include Governor Maura Healey and other high-ranking government attorneys, law firm partners, and accomplished in-house attorneys.

The WLI is designed for women attorneys who have been in practice six to twelve years. From no-holds barred Q&A sessions to events introducing participants to leaders in the Massachusetts legal and business communities, the WLI provides participants with opportunities to work with their role models and one another, build their networks, and further their careers. 

Applications for the WBA's eighth Mary K. Ryan Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) open today.

The extended deadline to apply or nominate someone is Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

CHECK YOUR WBA MEMBERSHIP STATUS HERE!

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION & NOMINATION FORM HERE!

This year, the program will be led by Chairs Jennifer Furey, Director, Goulston & Storrs, and Nicole Hadas.

The team of mentors assembled as the Host Committee, which is still in formation, includes:

  • Carolina Avellaneda, General Counsel, Emerson College
  • Laurie Cerveny, Managing Partner, Morgan Lewis
  • Marla Dubin, Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Tripadvisor
  • Stesha Emmanuel, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
  • Barbara Fiacco, Partner, Foley Hoag
  • Laura Gal, Managing Attorney, Greater Boston Legal Services
  • Ginny Kremer, Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General
  • Anelise Lago, General Counsel, Core Investments
  • Carmen M. Ortiz, Partner, Anderson & Kreiger
  • Michelle Peirce, Partner, Hinckley Allen
  • Katie Potter, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer, Sonder Hospitality
  • Carla Reeves, Director (Partner), Goulston & Storrs
  • Marian Ryan, District Attorney, Middlesex County
  • Sarah Walters, Partner, Ropes & Gray
  • Sarah Whipple, Vice President & Global Chief Compliance Officer, Apellis Pharmaceuticals

About the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts

Founded in 1978 by a group of activist women lawyers, the Women’s Bar Association boasts a large membership of women lawyers, judges, policy makers, and law students across Massachusetts.  The WBA is committed to the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and in a just society. The WBA works to achieve this mission through committees and events and by developing and promoting a legislative agenda to address society’s most critical social and legal issues.  Other WBA activities include networking and professional development, drafting amicus briefs, studying employment issues affecting women, encouraging women to enter the judiciary, recognizing the achievement of women in the law, and providing pro bono services to women in need through its sister organization, the Women’s Bar Foundation.  For more information, visit www.womensbar.org