District Attorney Ryan Names New Head of Racial Justice Initiatives

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced that Amanda Ruiz will serve as the new Director of Racial Justice Initiatives. In the role, which was created in 2021, Ruiz will help drive policy around racial bias, equity and inclusion in Middlesex County.

“With a diverse professional background across law enforcement, education and the judicial system, Amanda has a proven track record of impactful service,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Addressing issues of systemic racism and equity in our communities is at the forefront of our work. Since this position was created five years ago, Middlesex County has led in reimagining how a prosecutor’s office addresses issues of racial justice. I am confident Amanda will build on that work and continue to implement training and education initiatives and develop policies that will be a resource to all the communities we serve.”

Born in the Bronx, New York, Amanda Ruiz has dedicated her career to criminal justice, youth advocacy and community engagement. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies and Psychology from Rhode Island College and a Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Northeastern University. Amanda also graduated from Suffolk University Law School, where she was recognized for her pro bono work. Additionally, she is certified as a Crime Analyst by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Amanda Ruiz replaces Antonia Soares Thompson, who was the first to serve in the position. Since the first-of-its-kind role was created, the office has launched an online reporting system to track community incidents motivated by race and bias, created school-based social justice roundtables that empower young people to examine social issues, including racial justice, and launched a monthly Anti-Hate, Anti-Bias Task Force that calls on community partners to discuss occurrences of hate in the community and explore how to address them with a multi-pronged approach.

This role is a meaningful piece of District Attorney Ryan’s commitment to addressing issues of systemic racism and bias across the county and builds on District Attorney Ryan’s commitment to reforming and eliminating policies that disproportionately impact communities of color, including eliminating cash bail to prevent incarceration solely due to a lack of financial resources and supporting the elimination of mandatory minimums for certain non-violent, low-level drug offenses.