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