News Releases
May 16, 2011

BBA Beacon Award Committee Intent on Honoring Diversity Change Agents

Press Release

As letters of nomination for the BBA’s prestigious Beacon Award for diversity have begun pouring in, the Award Committee issued additional guidance – dispelling any preconceptions about who the finalists and ultimate recipient may be.

“We are concentrating our search on identifying the true change agents in our community,” said Julia Cosentino, Co-Chair of the Beacon Award Committee.  “We aren’t focused on whether it is an organization or individual — we want to look at both individual and collective efforts that epitomize this essential concept.  A lot of names are coming in and we welcome more.  Every nomination is being reviewed carefully.”

In its inaugural year, 2010, the candidate that really stood out amid a crowded field, and ultimately captured the Beacon Award, was MassMutual.  That being said, the Beacon Award Committee wants to make it clear that the winner need not be drawn from a particular category. 

“We are well aware that change agents can also be individuals sacrificing their time on the front lines to promote diversity in Boston,” said Wendell Taylor, Co-Chair of the Beacon Award Committee.

The Beacon Award ceremony will be November 1, 2011 at 6:00 pm. 

To nominate a candidate for the Beacon Award, please contact any of the Committee members or Heather Leary hleary@bostonbar.org by May 23.

Beacon Award Committee:

Julia Cosentino (Co-Chair) – Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
Wendell Taylor (Co-Chair) – Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
Maura Healey – Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
William (‘Mo’) Cowan – Office of the Governor
Kristen Campbell – Staples, Inc.
John Chu – Chu, Ring & Hazel LLP
Renée Landers – Suffolk University Law School
Roberto Braceras – Goodwin Procter LLP
E. Macey Russell – Choate Hall & Stewart LLP