Speakers, Panelists, and More

Celia Blue is President and CEO of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, an organization  dedicated to advancing equity and justice for women of color across the Commonwealth. With  extensive experience in leadership and advocacy, she has worked to amplify underrepresented  voices and dismantle systemic barriers. Her work reflects her commitment to empowering  communities, uplifting future generations, and strengthening civic engagement. Prior to being  appointed as Interim Director, Blue served as a former Chief of Staff and Deputy Director at DHS for  over four years. She holds a B.S. degree from Worcester State University and a master’s degree in  business administration from Anna Maria College and is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. Leadership  program at the University of Vermont. She has received awards for her leadership and commitment  to diversity, equity and inclusion, and was named in the Power 50, Class of 2021 by Worcester  Business Journal. 

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell is the 45th Attorney General of the Commonwealth of  Massachusetts, becoming the first Black woman to hold the office. As Attorney General, she aims  to advance economic prosperity, improve mental health care, break cycles of incarceration and  violence, and ensure equitable access to justice across the state. Attorney General Campbell  graduated from Boston Latin School, Princeton University, and UCLA Law School. Her career  reflects a deep commitment to public service: she advocated for children and families as a legal  services attorney, worked to expand equity as counsel to Governor Deval Patrick, and served as  General Counsel at the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.  

Tina Cassidy (she/her) is Chief Marketing Officer at WGBH and the author of Mr. President, How  Long Must We Wait? She writes about women’s rights, leadership, and social change, with a focus  on the suffrage movement. Cassidy combines her background in journalism, publishing, and  communications to highlight the impact of women’s voices across history. She values storytelling  as a tool for advocacy and empowerment. Cassidy attended Northeastern University and holds a  B.A. in Journalism. 

Lisa Connelly Cook Ph.D. is currently Professor of History and Political Science at Quinsigamond  Community College since 2002. Lisa is the inspiration behind the re-enactment idea back in the  1990s. While attending graduate school at Clark University, taking a class on women in the law, she  read a book by Eleanor Flexner called A Century of Struggle. There was a section about Worcester  and the 1850 Convention, and she was surprised she had never heard of that before. “And it had  just occurred to me that—at that time it was like 1992—that 2000 would be the 150th year  anniversary and it was only a few years away and wouldn’t it be cool to do something about it!” She  co-founded the Worcester Women’s History Project in 1995, and planning for Woman 2000 began.  Lisa chairs the WWHP Steering Committee at Museum of Worcester, continuing the important  work of educating women about the past to continue to the important work of reaching equality.  Lisa is a Worcester resident and received her Doctoral Degree in History from Clark University in 2017.

Deja Foxx is a nationally recognized activist, digital creator, and thought leader from Gen Z. She  began her advocacy as a reproductive justice organizer and later served as a policy strategist  focused on equity and access. Known for using digital platforms to mobilize young people, Foxx  highlights the power of activism and youth leadership in shaping policy. She values boldness,  inclusivity, and a belief that storytelling can transform social movements. Foxx has partnered with  Planned Parenthood to run trainings, speak at events, served as a member of the board of directors  for Planned Parenthood Arizona, and helped to found the Reproductive Health Access Project in  2017 alongside untraditional youth leaders.  

Stephanie Gorton is the author of The Idol and the Idealist, which explores the intersecting lives of  19th-century reformers. A writer and historian, she is dedicated to uncovering overlooked  narratives and making history accessible to contemporary audiences. Her values are rooted in  intellectual curiosity, rigorous research, and connecting past struggles for justice to present-day  activism. Gorton has an M.A. in Literature from the University of Edinburgh and a Master of Fine  Arts from Goucher College.  

Barbara Guertin is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Museum of Worcester (MOW) and  serves on the Worcester Women’s History Project steering committee and is spearheading the  175th Event. Barbara has over 25 years of experience in global in-house human resource  management across various industries, such as healthcare, IT, and biotech, working for many local  companies such as UMass Chan Medical School, Hanover Insurance, and Boston Scientific.  Growing up in New York, Barbara developed a passion for music and the arts, producing, directing,  and casting theater, films, and corporate training films. She is managing director of 4th Wall Stage  Company which has been producing plays for Women’s History Month for over a decade. Barbara  has served on the MOW Board since 2005. She teaches Business and Theater for several local  colleges. Barbara has a B.A. from Rutgers’ Women’s College (Douglass), and an MBA in HR  Management from Fitchburg State, and Executive Education Certification from Wharton.  

Kristina Haugland served as The Le Vine Associate Curator of Costume and Textiles and  Supervising Curator for the Study Room at the Philadelphia Museum of Art before retiring in 2023.  At the museum, she curated numerous exhibitions on diverse topics, including Fabulous Fashion:  From Dior’s New Look to Now and Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the Feminine Ideal. Her  publications include Grace Kelly: Icon of Style to Royal Bride (2006, Philadelphia Museum of  Art/Yale University Press) and Grace Kelly Style (2010, V & A Publishing). Kristina enjoys lecturing  and writing, especially about her favorite topic, the history of women’s underwear. She focused on  eighteenth-century stays and deportment for her M.A. thesis from London’s Courtauld Institute of  Art. Her current research highlights women inventors who improved or reformed nineteenth century corsets, and she looks forward to further exploration of everything from bustles to  brassieres during retirement. 

Parlee Jones is the founder and Executive Director of OurStory Edutainment, a cultural learning institute  that teaches Black history through the fusion of education & entertainment. She is also a co-founder of  The Village Worcester, an Afrocentric cultural, learning, & healing center that builds grassroots power by  connecting BIPOC groups, healers, and individuals whose work is rooted in racial justice, learning,  creativity, community, & healing. Prior to founding these organizations, Parlee worked as a Shelter  Advocate for Abby's House for seventeen years. Her advocacy, community-building and civic leadership  have earned her several awards, including the YWCA's Katherine Erskine Award and the Greater  Worcester Communit Foundation's Renaissance Award.

advocate for preserving and sharing women’s stories, she has dedicated her career to ensuring  women’s contributions are visible in public history. Through educational programs and community  initiatives, she has worked to connect the struggles of the past with ongoing movements for  equality today. Kay’s vision is grounded in the belief that knowing women’s history is essential to  building a more inclusive future. Fredie holds a degree from J.D. at Georgetown University Law  Center, an M.P.A. from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and B.A. in Government and  Politics from the University of Maryland. 

Senator Robyn Kennedy serves as a Massachusetts State Senator, where she champions issues  of equity, economic opportunity, and community well-being. With a background in public service  and nonprofit leadership, she brings a deep commitment to social justice and responsive  government. Senator Kennedy’s values are rooted in collaboration, integrity, and ensuring that all  voices are represented in policymaking. Born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Senator  Kennedy graduated from Holy Name High School. She earned a B.A. from Assumption University  and a Master of Public Administration from Clark University.  

John Kowal is co-author of The People’s Constitution and serves as Vice President for Programs at  the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. His work explores the Constitution’s  evolution through the lens of social justice, exploring how amendments have expanded rights and  protections over time. Kowal is committed to strengthening democracy, protecting civil liberties,  and educating the public about the living nature of constitutional law. Kowal also authored the  2016 Brennan Center report Judicial Selection in the 21st Century; “The Improbable Victory of  Marriage Equality,” an essay published in the Brennan Center volume Legal Change: Lessons from  America’s Social Movements; and “The Equal Rights Amendment’s Revival: Questions for  Congress, the Courts, and the American People,” a 2019 scholarly article published in the N.Y.U.  Review of Law & Social Change. Before joining the Brennan Center, Kowal developed and led  grantmaking programs at the Open Society Foundations and Ford Foundation and began his career  as a litigation attorney in the New York City law firms of Cravath, Swaine & Moore and Schulte Roth  & Zabel. He is a graduate of New York University and Harvard Law School. 

Dominique Lee (she/her) is President and CEO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts  and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. She began her career at PPLM  nearly 20 years ago as a health care assistant and now leads the organization with a deep  commitment to health equity, reproductive rights, and patient-centered care. Previously, Lee held  senior leadership roles at multiple Planned Parenthood affiliates, including serving as Chief  Operating Officer at the largest affiliate in the nation. Of Indigenous and Chinese descent, she is  the first person of color to lead PPLM.  

Betty Machete and the Jumping Fleas is an all-woman ukulele band known for their high-energy  performances and playful spirit. Blending humor, harmony, and musicianship, the group  celebrates the joy of music-making while highlighting the power of women’s voices in the arts. Their  repertoire spans classic favorites and witty originals; all delivered with a contagious sense of fun. 

Through performance and community engagement, Betty Machete and the Jumping Fleas embody  creativity, collaboration, and empowerment. 

Matthew Martin is a leader at the Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth (BAGLY), where he  works to create safe, supportive, and empowering spaces for LGBTQ+ youth. His advocacy  emphasizes equity, health, and leadership development for young people navigating diverse  identities. Martin is passionate about advancing social justice and building inclusive communities  where LGBTQ+ voices are centered. Matthew currently works for the Commonwealth of  Massachusetts in Health and Human Services. 

Jailene Matias is a Worcester Public Schools graduate and current freshman at the College of the Holy  Cross. As a participant in Mass Audubon’s Youth Climate Leadership Program, Jailene has taken on a  variety of leadership roles as a young climate activist. She recently emceed the Youth Climate Summit in  Worcester event, where she moderated a panel of climate activists and facilitated a climate justice  workshop alongside co-leaders.  

Jailene was an active and dedicated member of the Worcester State University Upward Bound  program, where she assisted with organizing a fundraiser during the 2025 Annual Martin Luther  King Jr. Youth Breakfast. Upward Bound students, including Matias, came together to raise money  to rent a bus to take their peers on a college tour. Under Matias’s leadership, the Upward Bound  program visited Boston University during the 2025 spring semester. 

Rev. Irene Monroe (she/her) can be heard on Boston Public Radio segment ALL REV'D UP on  GBH. As a feminist lesbian public theologian, ordained minister, and syndicated religion  columnist, Monroe's columns appear locally and nationally in several cities across the country, in  

Jailene Matias is a Worcester Public Schools graduate and currently a freshman at the College of  the U.K., and in Canada. Her papers are housed at the Harvard/Radcliffe Schlesinger Research the Holy Cross. As a participant in Mass Audubon’s Youth Climate Leadership Program, Jailene has  taken on a variety of leadership roles as a young climate activist. She recently emceed the Youth Library on the History of Women in America. Monroe's work is grounded in intersectional anti Climate Summit in Worcester event, where she moderated a panel of climate activists and oppression activism and praxis. Monroe says that she" seeks to inform the public of the role  facilitated a climate justice workshop alongside co-leaders. Jailene was an active and dedicated  religion plays in discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Because homophobia is both a hatred of  member of the Worcester State University Upward Bound program, where she assisted with  the "other" and it's usually acted upon in the name of religion, by reporting religion in the media, I  

organizing a fundraiser during the 2025 Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Breakfast. Upward  aim to highlight how religious intolerance and fundamentalism not only shatters the goal of  

Bound students, including Matias, came together to raise money to rent a bus to take their peers on  American democracy, but also aids in perpetuating various forms of oppression, such as racism,  

a college tour. Under Matias’s leadership, the Upward Bound program visited Boston University  during the 2025 spring semester. 

sexism, transphobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, to name a few."  

All Rev’d Up Podcast | www.irenemonroe.com | @revimonroe 

Lauren Morocco (she/her) prides herself on a career rooted in nonprofit work. Currently the  Director of Strategic Outreach and Development of Catholic Charities Worcester, Morocco  specializes in managing end-to-end grant operations, from research and calendar planning to  writing, submission, and reporting. She also leads fundraising, event planning, and  communications strategies that strengthen donor engagement and drive visibility. Morocco  received her B.A. from Assumption University and a Master’s in Museum Studies from the  University of Leicester. 

Anne Marie Murphy (she/her) is the author of A Proper Fit: Women at Work in a City of Corsets (a  history of Worcester's corset industry with a focus on its women) and Amazing Women of  Worcester (a coloring book featuring biographies of twenty of the city's most amazing ladies). Her  interest in the corset-making businesswomen of Worcester probably stems from her own thirty plus years of self-employment as the owner of a company that provides legal research to the  entertainment industry across North America. She recently started a publishing company Story  Gopher LLC to work with local authors who want to see their books in print. She has a Master's  degree from the UCLA Film School and a B.A. in English Literature from Bowdoin College. 

Doreen Nichols (she/her) is Head of HR Business Partnering and Global Talent at Amylyx and a  Board Member of the Northeast HR Association. She has extensive expertise in workforce  development, organizational leadership, and building equitable workplace practices. Nichols is  committed to fostering inclusive environments where all employees can thrive, and she champions  diversity as a driver of business success. Nicholas has experience in higher education, where she  worked at Tulane University as the Associate Vice President of the Work Force Management  Organization from 2013 to 2017, and with other prior HR roles. Doreen led various departments and  collaborated with the Executive Leadership Team to set and achieve strategic objectives. Nichols  has a B.S. in Technical Management / HR from DeVry University. 

Bishop Nathan D. Pipho joined Ascentria’s Board of Directors following his election as Bishop of  the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Before becoming  bishop, he served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was  actively involved in church and community life. Within the ELCA and New England Synod, Bishop  Pipho has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to justice, inclusion, and leadership  development. Bishop Pipho was ordained in 2002 at St. John Lutheran Church in Sudbury, MA. He  holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (now United  Lutheran Seminary), a master’s in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School, and a B.A.  from Wartburg College in Iowa. 

Karon Shea has been a business owner for 45 years. She has produced and commentated on  hundreds of fashion shows throughout New England. Her commitment to the community is evident  in her leadership of numerous charity events, including the Harvey Ball. Shea is a founding member  of the Hanover Theatre, board member of the Boys and Girls Club, board member for the Canal  District Alliance Group, fashion coordinator for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance Fashion Show, and  served as License Commissioner for nine years for the City of Worcester. She received the Friends  of the Worcester Public School award in 2024 from the Worcester Educational Development  Foundation and received the "Key to the City" in 2010 and 2024. She recently established the Shea  Foundation to support the Burncoat High School Spirit Team, enhancing dance and music  programs for the city's students in the arts. 

Stefanie Silva (she/her) is the Director of Programs and Events for the Worcester Regional  Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her role at the Chamber in 2021, Stefanie was the Sales and Catering Manager at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel; selling, detailing, and executing corporate  galas, fundraisers, and all social events, including weddings. From 2005-2017 Stefanie worked for  Outback Steakhouse Bloomin Brands, as the Regional Director of Training. Her passion for the  advancement and opportunities of the youth was rooted in her at a young age from attending Girls  Inc. in Worcester. Stefanie serves as the Committee Chair for the Worcester Women’s Leadership  Conference. She currently serves on the Advisory Committee on the Status of Women for the City  of Worcester, as well as the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Central and Western MA and  Board of Directors for CASA Project Worcester. Born and raised in Worcester, Silva holds a degree  from Worcester State University. 

Dr. Lauran Star (she/her) is a company culture expert, keynote speaker, and author of Inclusion:  It's Time to Focus on the Right Needle. She specializes in helping organizations create workplaces  where diversity and inclusion drive innovation and collaboration. Drawing on research and lived  experience, she challenges leaders to embrace disruption as a catalyst for progress. Her values are rooted in empowerment, authenticity, and cultivating environments where every voice is heard. Dr.  Star holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology, specializing in Inclusion, Diversity &  Equity. 

Stephanie Yuhl is a Professor of History and Women’s Studies at the College of the Holy Cross.  Her scholarship focuses on women’s history, memory, and the politics of representation. Yuhl is  committed to teaching and mentoring students to critically examine the past and to connect  historical struggles for justice to contemporary issues. Her publications include LGBTQ+  Worcester For The Record, Worcester Historical Museum, and A Golden Haze of Memory: The  Making of Historic Charleston (University of North Carolina Press, 2005). Yuhl holds a Ph.D. from  Duke University.