Equal Justice USA is pleased to announce that Jesselyn McCurdy will serve as chair of the board of directors. McCurdy joined the board in 2010.
“Jesselyn’s skills and experiences are incredibly important to EJUSA’s work to reimagine the justice system in the United States,” said Shari Silberstein, executive director of EJUSA. “For years now, she has provided critical insight into the many facets of criminal justice, which has helped us focus our programs during this exciting time of strategic growth.”
McCurdy is deputy director of the Washington Legislative Office of the American Civil Liberties Union, where she has worked for more than 13 years over two separate periods. In between, she served as counsel on the House Committee for the Judiciary during the Obama administration. Today, at the ACLU, McCurdy is responsible for defending civil liberties in Congress and in the executive branch in the areas of criminal justice.
“I am honored to have been chosen by this board to take a leading role as we all help guide EJUSA to new heights,” said McCurdy. “The work this organization is doing to transform justice is thrilling. I’m confident that this team—staff and board—will accomplish much to drive lasting change on some of the most pressing issues of our time.”
Eunice Timoney Ravenna, who served as board chair since 2011, will continue to serve as a board member for EJUSA.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the direction of Eunice,” said Silberstein. “We are incredibly grateful for her dedication as well as her continued commitment to violence prevention and racial equity across the justice system.”
EJUSA also added three new board members. Katisha Andrew is a nonprofit human services administrator currently working for the Community Development Project of the Urban Justice Center as its Immigrant Opportunity Initiative Contract Manager and Development Coordinator. Ed Chung is the vice president for Criminal Justice Reform at American Progress, where he focuses on reducing the footprint of the criminal justice system while making it fairer, more equitable, and more effective. Jesse Moore, a former White House speechwriter for President Obama, is the founding CEO of Common Thread Strategies, a strategic messaging firm specializing in nuanced narratives, branding, and partnership strategies for change-driven institutions.
