As Massachusetts Legislative Session Gets Underway, Reproductive Equity Now Makes Three New Hires

The organization’s new Massachusetts State Director, Communications Director, and Research & Policy Advisor will be critical to advocacy efforts in 2025

BOSTON (January 15, 2025) – Reproductive Equity Now announced three new hires this week: Lyv Norris will begin as the organization’s Massachusetts State Director, Marina Chafa will serve as Communications Director, and Kate Glynn will work as a Research and Policy Advisor. These advocates will be critical to the organization’s legislative and organizing efforts as the Massachusetts 2025-26 legislative session gets underway.

Norris comes to Reproductive Equity Now from Mass General Brigham, where they served as a Project Manager for a maternal health initiative that aimed to reduce adverse health outcomes during the perinatal period. Norris has also worked as a Policy and Advocacy Coordinator with Fenway Health, serves on the Board of Directors for Steps to Success Inc in Brookline, and works as a birth doula. Norris received their Master’s in Public Health from Boston University.

Before joining Reproductive Equity Now, Chafa, a New England native, served as Communications Director for U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush in Washington, DC, and prior to that role, worked on the communications team of Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ed Markey. She brings to the role deep communications skills and a passion for reproductive equity. Chafa graduated with a degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University.

Glynn, who received her Master’s in Social Work in 2024, will join Reproductive Equity Now as the Research and Policy Advisor to lead the organization’s Regional Initiative for Contraceptive Access Implementation. In her role, Glynn will be responsible for conducting an assessment of the obstacles to the implementation of contraceptive access laws across New England, and work with stakeholders to implement these policies. Prior to joining Reproductive Equity Now, Glynn served as the co-chair of the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts and completed a year-long social work placement at Reproductive Equity Now.

“We are thrilled to bring aboard Lyv, Marina, and Kate to spearhead our work to advance reproductive equity here in Massachusetts and across New England,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now. “These three fearless advocates will be an invaluable addition to the growing Reproductive Equity Now team, and will help us to meet this moment of crisis for reproductive freedom with bold leadership. With our new hires, Reproductive Equity Now is ready to go on offense, defeat Trump’s anti-abortion extremism, and continue to expand access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care here in the commonwealth.”

Claire Teylouni, Reproductive Equity Now’s former Director of Government Affairs, will now serve as the organization’s Sr. Director of Policy and Programs, directing legislative and programmatic work across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Taylor St. Germain, Reproductive Equity Now’s former Communications Director, will now serve as the Deputy Director of Reproductive Equity Now, responsible for leading and coordinating strategic priorities across the organization.

These new positions come as Reproductive Equity Now has expanded its advocacy footprint across New England. In September 2023, as attacks on reproductive freedom escalated post-Dobbs, the organization expanded its work from Massachusetts to include New Hampshire and Connecticut, working to build a regional bloc for abortion access.

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