MAC selects Anna Krieger as organization’s new Executive Director

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For More Information: Aimee Sung, 617.874.5362/3253. asung@massadvocates.org


Massachusetts Advocates for Children selects Anna Krieger as organization’s new Executive Director

Boston, MA. (March 21, 2023)– The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) is pleased to welcome Anna Krieger as the organization’s new Executive Director, effective April 3.

MAC (www.massadvocates.org) is a nonprofit children’s advocacy organization dedicated to removing barriers to educational and life opportunities for children and youth.

As a disability justice lawyer, leader, and policy advocate, Anna has dedicated her career to building innovative legal and policy initiatives at the intersection of disability and race, empowering those with disabilities to live self-determined lives. Anna comes to MAC from the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, where she led programmatic and policy initiatives advancing inclusion for those with developmental disabilities and their families. Notably, she launched a BIPOC Vaccine Equity Initiative, as well as a diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative in partnership with BIPOC Council members and staff to create a peer-led hub for BIPOC family and leaders with disabilities. Previously, she worked at the Center for Public Representation, Disability Rights California, the Mental Health Advocacy Project, and as a legislative aide for Sen. Lincoln Chafee.

Through her work at the Council and the Center for Public Representation, Anna established herself as a nationally recognized leader advocating for supported decision-making. She spearheaded legislative advocacy providing supported decision-making options in Massachusetts. As a disability justice lawyer, she represented the plaintiffs in Lane v. Brown, the first class action lawsuit in the nation to apply the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to segregated employment.

“On behalf of the search committee and the entire Board, I am most pleased to announce our choice of Anna Krieger as MAC’s Executive Director,” said Eileen Hagerty, Chair of MAC’s Board of Directors. “With her experience in advocacy, disability rights, and racial justice issues, we believe that she is uniquely positioned to lead MAC forward into its next phase. We look forward to the energy and passion she will bring to MAC’s work.”

“We are thrilled that Anna has joined the MAC team during an exciting time of transition,” said Jay Blitzman, interim Executive Director at MAC. “Anna has demonstrated exemplary advocacy leadership, and commitment throughout her career, advancing racial equity and addressing the intersection of disability, race and the juvenile and criminal system.”

“I am honored to be joining MAC at this moment, as our country and state strive to address racial justice, disability justice, and educational equity,” said Anna Krieger, incoming Executive Director. “It is my privilege as a disabled woman who is neurodivergent to lead MAC’s exceptional team in partnership with our community to realize the vision of our founder, Hubie Jones, so that BIPOC youth, disabled youth, English learners, and immigrant youth thrive in Massachusetts.”

Anna holds a law degree from U.C. Berkeley School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College. She currently lives in Watertown with her family.

The search and executive transition process for MAC was led by TSNE (http://tsne.org/executive_transitions) and Executive Transition Consultant, Mimi Brunelle, with MAC Board member Jacquelynne Bowman as chair of the search committee. TSNE is a nonprofit organization providing consulting and management resources to help nonprofits better meet their mission, and deepen their community impact. About Massachusetts Advocates for Children Founded in 1969,

Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing barriers to educational and life opportunities for children and youth. MAC works with students, families, communities, and at the policy level to bring individual and systematic change to increase access to education for children across Massachusetts. MAC prioritizes advocacy for children and youth who stand at the intersection of disability, race, economic status, ethnicity/culture, immigration status, English learner status, and traumatic life experiences.


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