A New Chapter
Next month, Sharon McGowan will join us as Public Justice’s new Chief Executive Officer. Sharon was unanimously selected by our Board after a national search to find our new leader.
Sharon brings a unique and impressive set of experiences and skills to Public Justice spanning non-profit, law firm and government leadership positions. Currently a partner at Katz Banks Kumin, she has deep experience representing individuals who have experienced harassment and other forms of discrimination in the workplace. Prior to that, Sharon served as Chief Strategy Officer and Legal Director for Lambda Legal, where she helped to lead the country’s oldest LGBTQ+ litigation advocacy group and developed and implemented Lambda’s strategic priorities, led its litigation and policy advocacy teams, and built partnerships with national civil rights groups on intersecting issues. She also worked in the Obama administration in several important positions, including Principal Deputy Chief of the Appellate Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where she supervised attorneys and advised DOJ leadership, including the U.S. Solicitor General, on a broad range of civil rights issues.
All of us on the Board believe that Sharon has exactly the right combination of talent, experience and passion to lead Public Justice into the future and to ensure we can continue our vibrant litigation and advocacy work. As her current law partner, Debra Katz, said recently, “Public Justice members will find a kindred spirit and inspiring partner in Sharon.” I couldn’t agree more.
Sharon will be joining Public Justice at a particularly exciting time. Just last week, our Debtors’ Prison Project was featured in The New York Times, and CNN highlighted our Students’ Civil Rights Project in its analysis of a series of heinous anti-LGBTQ bills now making their way through the Alabama state legislature. As a skilled litigator, strategic policy advocate and talented leader who understands the importance of ensuring that those who have been wronged can have their day in court and can use their stories and experiences to build impactful movements for positive change, Sharon will help take this and other important work to new levels and ensure this organization we all love so much continues to grow and thrive.
You’ll be hearing more from Sharon in the weeks and months ahead, including about opportunities to connect with her and learn more about her vision for Public Justice. And I hope you’ll make plans to join us at our Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony in July, where we’ll introduce Sharon and pay tribute to our outgoing CEO, Paul Bland.
On behalf of Public Justice’s Board and staff, I’m excited to welcome Sharon to the Public Justice family. I know that, together with our amazing community of supporters, we can continue the important, life-changing work Public Justice does every day.
Thank you,
Preston Tisdale
President
Public Justice Foundation Board of Directors
