Matt has advocated for health care access for consumers since the early 1990’s. He joined HLA in 2005 as a Staff Attorney and has served as Executive Director since 2009. At HLA, Matt leads Massachusetts' only non-profit, public interest law firm dedicated exclusively to health care access. During his time with HLA, Matt has worked with the organization’s outstanding staff to significantly expand HLA’s efforts to expand access to health care. HLA’s growth has included the establishment of several strategic initiatives serving children with mental illness, immigrants, consumers with unaffordable medical debt, the gender-diverse community, and people with disabilities. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Matt began his professional career as a staff member for Senator Edward M. Kennedy with the United States Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources (now known as the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions). In Senator Kennedy’s office, he participated in advancing national health care legislation, including proposals to expand access to health insurance and strengthen public health programs. He left Senator Kennedy’s office to attend Suffolk University Law School where he graduated magna cum laude. Matt then worked in the Massachusetts State House as a legislative aide to State Representative Kay Khan, a champion for access to health care. In the State House, Matt drafted and helped enact various legislative and budgetary provisions including measures to improve mental health services and correctional health care.

Emely joined HLA in February 2023 as a Paralegal with the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids. She is currently studying Psychology and Criminal Justice at the University of Massachusetts – Boston and expects to graduate in 2024. Emely is an experienced preschool teacher who taught for four years in two schools, a role in which she participated in monthly parent support groups. She earned her high school diploma in Early Childhood Education and received her teacher certification in 2020. In addition to her work and studies, Emely has volunteered at Head Start and Cradles to Crayons.

Carolina is a Staff Attorney with the he Mental Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) for Kids.  She is based at the Brockton Family Resource Center. Before joining MHAP for Kids, Carolina worked at Latham & Watkins in the Healthcare and Life Sciences Litigation Unit, advising corporations on health and environmental compliance. She also gained experience at Jackson LLP, where she helped small healthcare practices navigate state and local regulations. Prior to law school, Carolina worked as an AmeriCorps fellow at Greater Boston Legal Services representing clients in employment and wage and hour cases. She graduated from the University of Chicago School of Law in 2020 and earned her B.A. in International Relations and Community Health from Tufts University.

Emily joined HLA as a Development and Executive Assistant in October 2024. Prior to joining HLA, she worked as a Health Facilitator Fellow with Peer Health Exchange implementing health curriculums and teaching workshops at high schools in Lynn and Boston. She graduated from William & Mary in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a minor in Public Health. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, practicing yoga, and talking someone’s ear off about women’s soccer.

Grace is a Staff Attorney with the Mental Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) for Kids, serving Worcester County’s Family Resource Center. Prior to joining HLA, Grace was a Staff Attorney in the Consumer Law Unit and Bankruptcy Law Unit at the Volunteer Lawyers Project where she represented clients, litigated consumer debt defense cases, negotiated settlements and supervised the Consumer Debt Lawyer for the Day Clinics. Grace also trained, mentored, and supervised volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and interns, and was active in community outreach. Grace’s legal experience includes working as an Associate at Conn Kavanaugh, and internships with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Grace also interned with the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families, and with the Center for Psychosocial and Forensic Services Research at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. In addition to Grace’s legal experience, she has a background in career development and was as a Career Counselor at Suffolk University Law School and a J.D. Advisor at Boston University Law School, where she provided support to law students and alumni, helping them navigate their professional paths. In 2023, Grace was selected as a Class Member of the Boston Bar Association's Public Interest Leadership Program where she received intensive leadership and professional development training. Grace holds a training certification in National Mental Health First Aid and has a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and a B.A. in Psychology from Gordon College, where she was an A.J. Gordon Scholar.

Jennifer joined our Access to Care and Coverage Team in 2022! Prior to HLA, Jennifer worked at the Massachusetts Trial Court’s Boston Court Service Center providing access to justice to self-represented litigants. In this capacity, Jennifer assisted marginalized and underserved litigants navigate the judicial system in various Probate and Family and Housing Court matters. Before joining the Boston Court Service Center, Jennifer worked as a Public Defender with CPCS in the Mental Health Litigation Division. At CPCS, she represented clients who were facing civil commitment in mental health institutions.  

Sarah joined HLA in August 2018, bringing more than a decade of experience in nonprofit finance and administration. Previous positions include nine years at Gateways: Access to Jewish Education, where she developed a passion for the disability inclusion movement. Sarah holds a BA from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

Eva is a Staff Attorney with the Mental Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) for Kids, serving families at the MOC Fitchburg Family Resource Center. Prior to joining HLA, Eva was a Trial Attorney in the Children and Family Law Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services. As a trial attorney, she represented families facing state intervention, assisted parents and children navigating forced family separation, and advocated for clients in various juvenile court proceedings. Eva earned her J.D. at Northeastern University School of Law and a B.A. at Emory University. 

Charles M. Delbaum is an Access to Justice Fellow volunteering to assist HLA with impact litigation. He has been a public interest litigator for the past 50 years. Most recently, he worked as a class action litigator at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) from 2005 to 2022. In 2022, he largely, but not completely, retired, and still works on several class actions for NCLC. He has successfully pursued dozens of class actions to remedy abusive conduct by student loan lenders, mortgage servicers, payday lenders, debt collectors, and credit reporting agencies.

He began his career as a law clerk for a federal district court judge and then was a staff attorney in the law reform unit of the Cleveland (Ohio) Legal Aid Society from 1975 to 1979. There, he pursued class actions for individuals with low income, including several cases on behalf of nursing home patients. Later, as Director of Litigation at New Orleans Legal Assistance from 1992-2005, he successfully pursued actions on behalf of Medicaid applicants whose applications were not being timely processed, public housing tenants whose children were being poisoned by lead paint, and others.

He is a graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Law School.

Bettyna joined HLA in February 2023 as a Paralegal with the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids. Prior to HLA, she worked for Salem State University as a Donor Relations and Events Aide and Resident Assistant. Bettyna is also a current student at Salem State University, where she expects to graduate in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Minor Concentrations in Peace Studies and French.  Outside of her course work Bettyna serves as the Vice President and Public Relations Representative of the Black Student Union.

Lucy joins the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids as a Staff Attorney. Prior to joining HLA, Lucy was a Staff Attorney at the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, where she focused on education issues impacting youth in foster care and kinship caregiving. Lucy also has experience providing direct representation to children in Essex County in education and immigration cases. Prior to attending law school Lucy worked on housing and neighborhood issues at the Boston Foundation and spent a year working in a Boston based after school program. Lucy received her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 2020 and her B.A. from Northeastern University in 2011.

Jessica is a staff attorney for the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids serving Berkshire, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties out of the Pittsfield Family Resource Center. Prior to joining HLA in November 2022, Jessica worked as a public defender and bar advocate, representing indigent clients in both trial and appellate settings. In addition, she volunteers her time as a development coordinator and member of the executive board for Berkshire Pride, which she helped found, and led Berkshire County's campaign to promote a ballot question to protect transgender rights. Jessica holds a B.A. in American Studies from Williams College and earned her J.D. from the New York University School of Law, after which she clerked at the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

Marisol Garcia has dedicated her 25-year legal career to advocating for youth at every stage of the cradle to prison pipeline.  Since 2016, Marisol has directed the work of the Commonwealth’s largest child advocacy program – the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids (MHAP for Kids). As Deputy Director, Marisol continues as the leader of MHAP for Kids, acts as an HLA ambassador to cultivate partnerships with potential and existing financial and advocacy partners, develops, launches, and guides HLA advocacy efforts, advises existing HLA legal initiatives to help them grow, and works on administrative projects to advance HLA operations. Marisol achieved the mission of statewide expansion for MHAP for Kids, increasing capacity by over 500% and placing attorneys in Family Resource Centers (FRCs) across the state. Working with public interest groups, Marisol leads the legislative lobbying efforts – establishing a budget earmark and receiving over five million dollars in public funding. Within months of assuming her position as project director, Marisol collaborated with key stakeholders to redefine the strategic direction of the program to relocate this diversion program from the juvenile justice system to the FRCs based in the community. Marisol also coordinates ongoing data collection with the evaluation team from Boston University School of Public Health. Marisol oversees the work of the attorneys who advocate for children with unmet mental health needs to receive the care that they require to be successful at school, at home, and in the community. She has co-authored numerous articles for the American Bar Association’s Children’s Rights Committee and has presented on children’s mental health issues at statewide and national trainings. In 2022, Marisol was selected as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's Top Women of Law. Marisol joined HLA in 2015 as a mental health advocate. From 2012 to 2014, Marisol litigated before the SSA, representing disabled adults and children. From 1999 to 2011, she maintained her own law office where she specialized in juvenile justice, representing children in civil and delinquency proceedings. During that time, Marisol was also an adjunct professor at University of Massachusetts in Lowell and William James College. Marisol was a Bart J. Gordon fellow and staff attorney at the Children's Law Center of Massachusetts from 1997 to 1999. She received her JD from Northeastern University School of Law in 1997 and a BA magna cum laude from Providence College 1994.

Maria joined HLA in July 2024 as a paralegal with the ACC team. Maria graduated MIT with a B.S. in Brain and Cognitive Science in May 20024 and is a first generation college graduate. She is from San Antonio, TX and previously worked at the MIT Saxe lab assisting with baby and child development studies, as well as interned at Blueprint Medicines as a program manager. Maria says, "I love helping people. I want to be a bridge for those with the lack of resources to get the help they need. My areas of interest are mental health, child development, and the business-law intersection."

Mindi is a Staff Attorney for MLPI in HLA's Access to Care and Coverage Program. Prior to HLA, Mindi was a high school Spanish teacher and was inspired by her students to go back to school. Mindi received her law degree from Suffolk University Law School, cum laude. While at Suffolk, Mindi participated in the Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples' Clinic where she advocated for Indigenous Community Radio at the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights. Mindi became interested in healthcare law while interning at the Office of the Attorney General, Andrea Joy Campbell, where she researched Health Care for All's "Cover All Kids" bill. She also has a master's degree in teaching Spanish from Salem State University and a bachelor's degree in Spanish from University of Massachusetts. 

Prior to joining HLA, Kathleen engaged in private practice representing parents and children in Care and Protection Petitions and Children Requiring Assistance cases for the Committee for Public Counsel Services/Children and Family Law Division.  In addition, she has experience as a Guardian Ad Litem and Court Investigator in the juvenile courts in Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk Counties. Kathleen also worked as an Education Advocate for the Home for Little Wanderers Parent Support Program as well as for families working with the Department of Mental Health. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross and a law degree from Suffolk University Law School.

Salome joined HLA as a staff attorney with MHAP for Kids in June 2024. Prior to HLA, Salome received her BA in Political Science with a minor in History. She also attended Suffolk University Law School where she took part in many student organizations, including being the 2021-2022 Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Suffolk's SBA. She was also a part of the school's National Health Law Moot Court team and the Health Law Clinic.

During her free time, Salome enjoys playing video games, painting, and attending art exhibits.

Trisha joined HLA as a paralegal with MHAP for Kids in July 2023. Prior to HLA, Trisha served as a Health Policy and Prostate Cancer Equity Program Coordinator for a non-profit dedicated to eradicating health disparities seen in prostate cancer. They interned for Sahiyo, where they initiated a reproductive justice project exploring the implications of abortion inaccessibility on survivors of female genital cutting. Trisha has also worked as a peer mentor for a developmental services organization and as a COVID-19 contact tracer during the pandemic. They earned their Bachelors of Science in Biology and Public Health from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Trisha enjoys dancing, writing poetry, and spending time with animals.

Before joining the HLA team, Toni served as Assistant Regional Counsel for Boston’s Department of Children and Families where she worked closely with clinical staff on case consultations, management, and mediation. While earning her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law, Toni clerked for First Justice Jay D. Blitzman at the Juvenile Court of Middlesex County and worked alongside healthcare professionals and education specialists at the Advocating Success for Kids program at Boston Children’s hospital. Toni continues to teach courses and workshops in Public Narrative, Community Organizing, and Legal and Ethical Issues in Child Advocacy. In addition to her law degree, Toni holds an M.Ed in Human Development and Psychology Child Advocacy from Harvard University, an M.A. in Sociology from Stanford University, and B.A. degrees in both Sociology and Human Biology from Stanford University.

Shy-Anne joined HLA as a paralegal with MHAP for Kids in October 2022. Before HLA, Shy-Anne earned her BA in Applied Legal Studies at Suffolk University, where she was also an active member of the Legal Association, Student Government Association, and National Society of Leadership and Success. She previously worked in customer service and participated in an internship in Experimental Learning, where she focused on legal research and legal writing. Shy-Anne is a huge animal lover and volunteers her time at a local animal rescue, and is also a former cheerleader at Suffolk University.

Monica joined HLA as a pro bono paralegal with the Access to Care and Coverage Practice in July 2023. Monica is an independent mental health advocate focusing on financial barriers to accessing mental health care. Activities include legislative advocacy, parity enforcement, and creative approaches to expanding payment models and commercial insurance coverage.

Monica is on the Steering Committee for CORE Mental Health, a non-profit focused on racial equity and mental health. She is also a consultant with Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and a co-chair of the Massachusetts Mental Health Coalition. Passionate about social justice, Monica is a Racial Social Justice Ambassador for the City of Somerville and a volunteer with the Wellesley Racial Justice Initiative. Monica worked in the technology sector for over twenty years, now routinely mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs building mental health apps.

Elaine Marshall is an advocate with the School Discipline Advocacy Program and the School Discipline Advocacy Program Fellow. Before joining the MHAP for Kids team, she was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Research Scientist for a judicial and legal education program, educating judges and other legal professionals on the social determinants of health. She earned her JD/MPH from Northeastern University School of Law and Tufts University School of Medicine as part of their dual degree program, where she focused on issues impacting people with mental health concerns. As part of her legal and public health training, she gained experience in legal services for health and welfare benefits, family law for parents with mental health concerns, and insurance billing policies for people experiencing first episode psychosis. 

Lisa Morrow, Managing Attorney in HLA’s MHAP for Kids based at the Lynn Family Resource Center, advocates for children with unmet mental health needs throughout Essex County while supervising 3 other MHAP for Kids attorneys. Due to her experience and expertise, Lisa has co-authored 2 articles for the American Bar Association’s Children’s Rights Committee and has presented on special education to other attorneys at MCLE. Before she joined HLA in 2013 to work on children’s mental health issues, Lisa spent four and a half years as a staff attorney at the Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts. At CLCM, Lisa represented children in education matters as the sole attorney for an education advocacy initiative in Lawrence, MA. Lisa holds a law degree from Boston University School of Law and Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Visual Art and History from Brown University.

Shelagh is a Staff Attorney with the Mental Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) for Kids.  She is based at the Quincy Family Resource Center and provides services to families in Norfolk County.  Before joining MHAP for Kids, Shelagh spent 10 years as a Staff Attorney at the New Hampshire Public Defender, representing individuals facing criminal charges. During law school, she interned at the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Maryland and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia.  Shelagh worked at the Innocence Project New Orleans prior to law school, investigating cases of wrongful convictions of individuals serving life without parole.  She graduated from the George Washington University Law School magna cum laude in 2014 and earned her B.A. in Political Science from Boston College.

Steph joined HLA in November 2023 as a Staff Attorney with the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids, based in Lawrence. Steph is passionate about special education and kids' mental health. In her prior work at MetroWest Legal Services she focused on special education advocacy and represented families in individualized education program meetings with schools. Steph has worked on getting kids the special education services they need, in addition to handling issues of school discipline, bullying, and discrimination. She has also led trainings and clinics for community and parent groups and senior citizens to help them understand common legal issues they encounter. Steph earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social and Economic Development from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law.

Kendal joins the MHAP for Kids team as the staff attorney for both Bristol County and the Cape & Islands, based in the New Bedford Family Resource Center. Kendal comes to HLA from the Bristol County District Attorney's office. She spent five years supporting prosecutors in the Fall River District Court and in the Special Victims Unit, while attending law school at night and on the weekends. Kendal then transitioned to the role of Assistant District Attorney, spending four years as a prosecutor based in the Attleboro District Court. She became the lead prosecutor for the Attleboro high risk domestic violence team, overseeing complex prosecutions of repeat offenders and working with community partners to provide support to domestic violence victims. Kendal has tried dozens of cases and brings extensive litigation experience and trauma informed advocacy skills to this role. Kendal earned her B.A. from Saint Michael's College where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her J.D. from the University of Massachusetts School of Law.

Before joining HLA, Katherine (Kate) was an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House in New York City, where she helped immigrant clients in low-income situations access health insurance and eliminate medical debt through advocacy, appeals, and client education. In law school, she worked at two legal services organizations serving immigrant populations and was a judicial extern at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a B.S. in Applied Psychology from New York University.

Caitlin is a Staff Attorney for the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids out of the Family Resource Center in Holyoke. She provides services to families in Hampden County. Prior to joining HLA, Caitlin had a private practice focused on representing kids and parents in care and protection proceedings in Juvenile Court, as well as mediating family law matters. She has extensive experience working with trauma survivors and helping people with mental health challenges navigate the legal system. Caitlin is also active with Gender Identity Validation Services, which provides free legal assistance to gender diverse people seeking name and gender marker changes. Caitlin earned her law degree and her master’s degree in public health in 2010 as part of a dual degree program with Northeastern University School of Law and Tufts University.  She also has B.A. degrees in both Biology and Religion from Mount Holyoke College.

Before joining HLA, Jason Reis had extensive experience in public health project management, legal services, and healthcare advocacy. His background includes leading projects at Boston University's School of Public Health and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, where he demonstrated a commitment to advancing healthcare initiatives both domestically and internationally. Prior to this, Jason provided crucial legal assistance at the New York Legal Assistance Group’s Legal Health practice, gaining valuable experience in immigration law and access to coverage. With a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Connecticut, Jason is poised to apply his diverse skills as a Medical Debt Advocate, driven by his dedication to improving health outcomes.

Noa joined HLA as a paralegal with MHAP for Kids in September 2023. Prior to HLA, Noa earned a BA in Public Health and Legal Studies at Brandeis University, where she was an active volunteer with the Right to Immigration Institute, a nonprofit providing legal and humanitarian services to immigrants in the Waltham area. During this time, she explored legal advocacy though internships at the Immigration Unit of the Legal Aid Society of New York, the International Criminal Court, and The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. Noa also fostered a love of early childhood education, working first as a gymnastics instructor and then as a preschool teaching assistant. Most recently, she worked at the Boston Bar Association/Foundation assisting with grants and board administration. Noa enjoys reading, cooking, doing yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Vianelis joined HLA as the organization's first ever Head of Human Resources in July 2024. Coming in with over 15 years of experience in advocacy, workforce development, operations and human resources, she has worked with many diverse populations to create meaningful success in Rhode Island, Nevada and Massachusetts. With all the years of experience, Vianelis has been able to focus in 5 major HR components that she is looking forward to focusing on at HLA; employee relations, compliance, benefits, staying up to date in the newest technologies/software and performance management. Before joining HLA, Vianelis was the Director of Human Resources for the Merrimack Valley YMCA, where she managed an average of 425 employees. During her time there, Vianelis was able to build trust with employees, increase D.E.I. initiatives, and successfully carry-on multiple projects such as professional development trainings, employee engagement events and spearhead the implementation of an applicant tracking system (ATS), which allowed for a more efficient way to recruit, hire and onboard new employees. Vianelis is an active member of the Northeast Human Resources Association, Greater Merrimack Valley Human Resources Association and the Association of Latino Professionals For America.

Evan joined HLA as a Paralegal in May 2024, and conducts intakes for the Access to Care and Coverage Practice team. Evan graduated from Earlham College in 2022 with a B.A. in Peace and Global Studies with a concentration in Law and Justice. At Earlham, Evan was a recipient of the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Scholarship, under which he served community organizations as an ELL Class Coordinator, Violin Instructor, and Volunteer Coordinator. In the Fall of 2022, Evan began service as a Quaker Volunteer Service Fellow with East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. At EBNHC, Evan found his passion for consumer support as a Care Navigator with a focus on housing justice. Evan enjoys cooking, running, playing violin, and taking public transit.

David is a supervising attorney in the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids program, and is based out of the Everett Family Resource Center. Before joining HLA, David was an attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services in the Children and Family Law Division, where he was court appointed to represent children and parents in Care and Protection cases and Children Requiring Assistance cases at the Juvenile Court. In that role, David provided client-directed litigation and advocacy in the court, administratively, and in the community. David was also an associate attorney at a law firm, where he represented school districts in special and general education matters. David earned his Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law. 

Amanda is a Staff Attorney with the Mental Health Advocacy Program (MHAP) for Kids in Hampden County.  Her office is based in the Springfield Family Resource Center. Prior to joining the MHAP for Kids, Amanda was a Staff Attorney with Way Finders, Inc., a regional nonprofit focused on serving Western Massachusetts. Amanda supported Way Finders in offering services that helped people access and maintain affordable housing. Prior to Way Finders, Amanda practiced as a trial attorney with the Committee for Public Counsel Services throughout Hampden County. Amanda was appointed to represent indigent clients charged with criminal offenses. Amanda has also represented clients in Care and Protection cases within the Springfield and Holyoke juvenile courts. In those roles Amanda provided client-directed, zealous advocacy for individuals by litigating matters through trial/disposition.  Amanda earned her B.A. from Rollins College and received her JD from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2012.

Shannon joined HLA in February 2019 and is passionate about social justice and advocating for equitable healthcare access. With extensive experience in case management and direct client services, her work has spanned diverse settings, including community health centers, community service organizations, and behavioral health care providers.

Shannon holds a Master of Social Work from Bridgewater State University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Kyra is a Staff Attorney for the Access to Care and Coverage Practice. Her work focuses mainly on public programs advocacy. Prior to joining HLA in 2023, Kyra served as the N. Neal Pike Legal Fellow at the Disability Law Center, where she represented clients with disabilities in obtaining reasonable accommodations and protecting their civil rights. Kyra received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law. During law school, Kyra participated in the Civil Litigation and Justice Clinic and the school’s National Moot Court team. Kyra also has a B.A. in Public Policy Analysis from Pomona College.

Emily returned to HLA in May 2024 to reprise her role as Manager of Donor Relations and Events, where she manages the Benefit Breakfast, HLA's largest fundraiser; the Legal Network; and other development and communications duties. During the 4-year interim, Emily worked at St. Stephen's Youth Programs as their Director of Operations & HR, navigating hybrid learning models for grades 1-12, training teen and young adult staff, and directing the operations at year-round and summer enrichment programs. Emily holds a B.A. in Sociology and Film from Wheaton College in Masschusetts and a certificate in Social Impact Management & Leadership from the Institute of Nonprofit Practice, affiliated with Tufts University.

Prior to joining HLA's MHAP for Kids, Tanuja was a legal intern in the Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Legal Clinic at Suffolk University Law School. Tanuja is native to Trujillo-Peru. As an attorney in Peru, she worked in debt collection and litigated civil matters. She worked as a legal intern at the Municipal Child Defense Center in Trujillo-Peru, where she advocated for children's and adolescents' rights and assisted their families with child support, custody, and visitation matters. In addition, in Trujillo she worked as a volunteer in a Catholic program to assist inmates with their probate paperwork. Before she immigrated to the United States she worked as an administrative staff member at the Embassy of Peru in Ecuador in the commercial department and the binational plan and border development department. She holds a law degree from the University Antenor Orrego Trujillo-Peru and a master's degree in global and technology from Suffolk University Law School. She was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in June 2024.

Wells works with HLA's commercial insurance and mental health parity teams, and advises and represents individual clients in Massachusetts with commercial insurance on their rights to access needed care. He has successfully appealed denials of expensive pharmaceuticals, ABA therapy for children with Autism, and he has helped consumers reverse unpaid claims, protecting them from medical debt. Previously, Wells worked with the consumer advocacy group Community Catalyst, indirectly advising consumers about their rights under the Affordable Care Act to enroll, to receive free preventive care, and to receive exemptions from tax penalties, among other issues. Wells has extensive experience in local grassroots organizing in Massachusetts, working on health care reform, peace issues, globalization, youth leadership development, and community organizing. He holds a B.A. in Biology from Boston University, and a law degree from New England School of Law.