Diversity, equity and inclusion panel named

The Select Board has named 13 residents to a new Diversity, Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee that will explore these issues in town and make recommendations for improvements.

The board voted unanimously Monday to appoint all 13 applicants to the committee, which did not have a set number of members.” Thank you for your time and dedication that you will be putting into this committee,” Chairman Ken Lefebvre said following the appointments. “The town really appreciates it, and hopefully it is enjoyable and we get positive results.”

According to the committee applications, those appointed include:

-Lauren Cochran, a fine arts teacher of 24 years at Chelmsford High School who is involved with the Chelmsford for Social Justice group and serves on the Chelmsford Telemedia board of directors. She wrote that she believes it’s important to be proactive on such important issues as equity, social justice and inclusion, and “truly would like to see Chelmsford stand out as a wonderful example of a town that is accepting and tolerant for all.”

: Jigarkumar Dave, an Indian immigrant who holds a master’s degree in chemistry.

: Rachel Donovan, an LGBTQ parent and founder of the Chelmsford for Social Justice group. She was also a founder of the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee at Articulate, where she serves as senior director of engineering, and has volunteered for two years at Hack Diversity, a group focused on increasing underrepresented minorities in Boston’s innovation economy.

: Town Clerk Tricia Dzuris, who has served on numerous committees in town, is a former foster parent and is trained as a facilitator for Darkness to Light, an organization focused on preventing child sexual abuse.

: Margaret Feeney, a licensed social worker who works at Eliot Community Human Services, serving as clinical coordinator of school-based services at Everett High School. She said her studies focused on social