Rajiv Chopra. Co-Chair 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. 

Ben Hoerner, Co-Chair grew up in Andover and moved back to the town in 2020.  He is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion, having studied EDI issues in undergraduate school and advising clients on these topics as an attorney. In his professional life, Ben works as a labor and employment, litigation, and healthcare attorney. Ben has also worked as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ben worked as a Teach for America corps member in the greater New Orleans region. In his spare time, Ben enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with his family. 

Kavita Goyal. 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. 

Amie Joof Senghore is a UK-trained barrister and a member of the Hon. Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London. Amie attained her LLB Law Degree from the University of Warwick in Coventry and proceeded on to do an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law from the University of College London (UCL). Originally from the Gambia in West Africa, Amie is a former Court of Appeal Judge and a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice for the Republic of the Gambia. Amie is involved amongst other areas of law, in civil litigation and is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Amie is a current graduate of Andover’s Leadership Academy and is very committed to and passionate about giving back to the Town of Andover, a town she lives in and loves. Amie is also actively involved as a member of the Andover Cultural Council, a member of Malden’s Lion’s Club, and a member of the Shura (board) of the Andover Islamic Center in which she is the Director of Religious Studies. Amie is a mother of two beautiful daughters, one of whom recently graduated from high school and is attending Suffolk University in Boston to study Criminal Justice. 

Jing Lu has lived in Andover since 2015 with her husband and two kids in APS. Jing is an electronic engineer working in the Integrated Circuit domain. Jing has a B.A. in Electrical Engineering from Zhejiang University, China, and a Master's degree from Northeastern University. Jing graduated from the Andover Leadership Academy in 2023 and started her passion in the municipal domain. Besides DEI, Jing likes to volunteer in the classroom and be with kids. 

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.

Richard Rainville brings a strong commitment to public service, community involvement, and inclusion to the Andover DEI Commission. A proud resident of Andover for the past 10 years, he lives with his husband, a lifelong member of the community.

Richard retired after a distinguished 39-year career in federal public service, where he served as a senior manager overseeing national Physical Security Policy and Programs. During his tenure, he also led a nationally recognized, agency-approved LGBTQ+ Employee Organization, championing equity and inclusion efforts within the federal workforce.

Since retiring, Richard has remained deeply engaged in community service. He supports local veterans through his volunteer work with the Run for the Troops 5K and serves with the Rotary Club of Andover, promoting civic engagement and service. He also works part-time at the 99 Restaurant in Andover and the Andover/North Andover YMCA, further connecting with residents and giving back to the community he calls home.

Jim Olson has lived in Andover since 1993. For 10 years, he coached in-town softball as his 3 daughters went through the ranks. Additionally, he put in 6 years on the ice being an assistant coach for Andover Hockey as the same daughters juked the opposition from other towns. Over the same time, Jim has been very active in a variety of capacities at West Parish Church, including helping WPC to become Open and Affirming back in 2003, narrating the annual Christmas Pageant, leading the youth group, occasionally giving a sermon, and, most recently, joining the A/V Team to live stream the Sunday worship service. Professionally, he has been a software engineer as an employee and as an independent consultant. Out on the backroads, you might see Jim and his wife cruising in his beloved Mustang convertible.

Karishma Mistry grew up in Andover and went through the Andover Public Schools system. She graduated from Andover High School in 2019 and went on to study Public Health, Economics, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging was ingrained in everything from her coursework to extracurricular activities. She previously served as the Essex County Commision on the Status of Women intern where she developed and launched the Ginsburg Initiative, which aims to raise the voices of the county's youngest constituents.  Now, Karishma currently works at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Office of Global Affairs as a coordinator for first year study abroad programs. In her professional life, Karishma is committed to providing enriching and accessible experiences abroad for all students. In her free time, Karishma is both a big reader and traveler. 

Laura Gregory 

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. 

Dianne Domenech Burgos, Phillips Academy is currently Chief of Staff and Assistant Head of School for Strategic Planning at Phillips Academy in Andover. In this role, Dianne works closely with the Head of School, the Board President and the senior leadership team to set strategic priorities for the school. Previously, Dianne served as the Director of (MS)2, Phillips Academy’s longest outreach program. Prior to coming to Phillips Academy, Ms. Burgos worked for 14 years in the Lawrence public school system, where she was the principal of the Math, Science and Technology High School.   Dianne is a bilingual/bicultural Latina from Lawrence who holds an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Merrimack College, a master’s in education degree from Salem State College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in education administration and policy planning from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Dianne has volunteered at Esperanza Academy as the co-chair of the Board of Trustees and is currently serving on the board of A Better Chance of Andover, Andover’s Superintendent’s Advisory Council and Andover’s Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

Carissa Dessin is an interviewer for the Andover Dialogues initiative as well as student representative for the Community Engagement Team for the Commission. As a member of class of 2025, Carissa has spent the better part of her high school career leading and helping with diversity initiatives at the academic level. She serves as co-president of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Student Advisory Committee and the Black Student Union at Andover High School where she strives to create a more equitable environment and culture in the school. She wishes to continue her work as she pursues a career in broadcast journalism and public relations.  

Maya Goyal runs the social media as well as being a part of the Community Engagement Team for Andover's DEI Commission. She is a member of the Class of 2027 and an involved member of the school. Maya is a co-president for Mock Trial as well as a member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Student Advisory Committee (DEI SAC) at Andover High. Here, she loves to bring her ideas and culture to the table where she leads and creates a bridge between Andover High's SAC and the Town of Andover's Commission. For fun, Maya loves to dance, play soccer, and travel! She hopes to continue to work on marketing and engaging with the community while developing more knowledge for her passion of cultural inclusivity.

Shamita Athreyas is a member of the Class of 2027 at Andover High School. Passionate about creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, Shamita is committed to supporting programs promoting diversity throughout her high school journey and beyond. She enjoys volunteering and believes in the power of giving back to the community. Through her efforts, Shamita hopes to help build a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, and looks forward to continuing this work in the future. 

Jemma Lambert, Director of Equity and Engagement, Town of Andover