Andover’s Commission on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will work to combat the realities of racism and intolerance in Andover by supporting programs, initiatives, education, outreach, policies, and institutional change which contribute to an inclusive Andover; a community which embraces tolerance, inclusiveness and respect for all.    

Meeting Agendas

Meet the Members:

At-Large Members

Kavita Goyal, Chair has been a resident of Andover since 2012, and has worked in Andover for the past 10 years. She is a small business owner with a law firm practice in the Ballardvale Mill building. At the firm, she leads the employment practice, representing small-to-mid sized businesses, as well as individuals, in civil litigation, advice and counseling. She focuses on anti-discrimination and equal employment practices, and spends a portion of her time counseling medical and dental entities with their ongoing business needs. Kavita has two daughters and loves to spend time with them skiing, dancing and walking on the beach! Kavita serves as an At-Large Member of the Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Lisa Cascio (She, Her), Co-Chair joined Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) in October 2013 as its Public Relations Manager and currently serves as Director of Partner Engagement. Lisa also serves as NEEP’s co-lead for all diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work. Lisa has a B.A. in English from The College of the Holy Cross and an M.A. in Administrative Studies from Boston College. She recently received a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice and Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University.

Rajiv Chopra has lived in Andover since 2002 with his wife and two sons, who both thrived in the APS system. Raj is a scientist focused on the discovery and design of new molecular therapies and has worked for major Pharmaceutical companies on numerous drug discovery projects before establishing his own consulting company. He  enjoys growing vegetables and sports, especially soccer, and is passionate about celebrating diversity in all its forms.

Shishan Wang is a senior research scientist in Microbiology and Biochemistry. He has been living in Andover with his family since 2007. Before moving to Andover, Shishan earned both BS and MS in Microbiology from China and Ph.D. in Food Science at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Shishan serves as a member of Andover High School Improvement Council. He also is volunteering for several organizations.

George Nugent (He, Him, His) is Marketing Manager and Vice President at Enterprise Bank headquartered in Lowell, MA. George has an extensive professional background in fundraising, marketing and communications work. He has a longstanding commitment to nonprofit organizations in the Merrimack Valley. George has served on the boards of Jericho Road and the Nonprofit Alliance of Greater Lowell is currently a board member for the Center for Hope and Healing and a trustee for the Towle Fund for the Town of Andover. He an advocate for LGBTQ and equity initiatives, is involved with diversity and inclusion efforts and a member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Consortium - Lowell.

Ben Hoerner

Clergy Representative

Reverend Dana Allen Walsh is a pastor, teacher and ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She is the first female Senior Pastor of South Church in Andover in their 300 year history. Prior to her call to South Church in 2014, Dana served for eight years as Minister of Hancock United Church of Christ on the historic battle green of Lexington.  She holds a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Mary Washington. She’s currently enrolled in a Executive Leadership  program with Princeton Theological Seminary. Dana resides in Andover along with her husband, Sean and two children: Leighton & Emerson

Select Board Representative

Laura Gregory

School Committee Liaison

Sandis Wright (He, Him, His) has held various leadership and volunteer positions throughout his career. In his current role as Director, Information Management, for the Federal Employee Program with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), he focuses on data strategy and data governance. He’s held numerous volunteer roles in both corporate settings and in local communities and is currently a member of the BCBSA diversity council and co-chairs the PRIDE (LGBTQ) Associate Resource Group. He’s also on the board of a Better Chance of Andover, the Bancroft Parent Teacher Organization and Doherty Parent Advisory Council. These volunteer roles include organizing programs and events while creating an inclusive community and culture. Sandis has resided in Andover since 2011. He is married to his husband of 29 years and has 2 daughters, age 9 and 11.

Andover Police Department Representative

Lieutenant Frank Fitzpatrick began his law enforcement career in Andover in 2006 after graduating from the Boston Police Academy. When asked why he chose to serve as the APD’s Liaison, Lt. Fitzpatrick said: “I chose to serve the Commission because this is a very important and meaningful topic… I chose to serve to help non-law enforcement better understand what we do and how we are trained. I believe this insight will help to assure our residents and those who work and travel through Andover that we are a professional police department with a focus on treating everyone with respect and dignity. Lieutenant Fitzpatrick holds a BA degree in Political Science from Merrimack College and a MS degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and has completed the FBI LEEDA’s Leadership School Trilogy.

Private School Representative

Jenny Jun-lei Kravitz (She, Her, Hers)

Andover Public Schools Representative

Vacant

Student Representatives

Edward Mukalazi

Ismeal Rodriguez

Staff Liason

Albert Pless Jr (He, Him, His), Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Town of Andover. Albert has over 25 years of experience working in community-based programs in the Greater Boston area. Previously, he directed nationally recognized programs for Black and Latino men at both the Boston Public Health Commission, and Cambridge Public Health Department. Albert is on numerous boards and committees including the Men’s Health, and Black Health Care Workers Caucuses of the American Public Health Association (APHA). He has committed his entire professional career to address health and racial inequities. Albert received his Master of Science degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH.