Matt Canuteson is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Director at Empire Justice Center in New York State. Proudly leveraging his experience as a person of color on a lifelong wellness journey, Matt’s drive comes from his gratitude that he has succeeded despite challenges. Because of this, he has diligently dedicated his career to equity and fairness and ensuring that New York's most vulnerable individuals and families have an equal shot at success. After graduating from SUNY Albany as a Spellman Achievement Awards winner (Political Science), Matt earned his MA in Social and Public Policy from Empire State College. He then became the Policy Director at the New York Association for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services. In this role, Matt ensured that New York's policymakers heard and understood the voices of people experiencing behavioral health challenges. Leading and contributing to many successful advocacy campaigns to sustain or protect community mental health funding and service access in marginalized communities, Matt was also instrumental in advocacy efforts to protect the rights of individuals in New York’s behavioral health system. Matt's career then included working at the national level for over a decade, contributing to or leading the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), which funded criminal justice, equity, homelessness, and access to public benefits projects. Matt worked to include the health equity lens in all projects he led or participated in and was recognized in 2014 as a SAMHSA Voice Award winner. Matt joined the Office of Mental Health in 2018 as the Agency's first Chief Diversity Officer. Coordinating all agency activities related to workforce diversity, inclusion, and the elimination of disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for marginalized populations - Matt provided leadership as the Agency responded to embedded disparities in COVID-19 mitigation, the murder of George Floyd, and tragedies such as the May 14, 2022, racially motivated mass murder in Buffalo New York. Additionally, Matt’s leadership was instrumental in raising the bar in how the Agency collected and used disparities data to influence how the Agency funds, oversees, and regulates New York’s mental health system. In his current role as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Director at Empire Justice Center, Matt leads the organization's efforts to ensure a diverse and inclusive work environment and provides expert policy consultation on issues related to providing civil legal services to New York’s special populations.

Melinda Fithen is the Litigation Director and a member of the Civil Rights Practice Group at Empire Justice Center. Melinda directs and advances the organization’s mission through impact litigation and provides technical assistance, co-counseling, training and strategic support to staff on litigation and systemic advocacy as well as emerging legal advocacy approaches. Melinda also represents clients directly in class actions and individual cases in various civil rights matters, including discrimination in schools, LGBTQ+ rights, and disability rights.   Prior to joining Empire Justice Center, Melinda worked in private practice handling a broad array of complex civil matters in state and federal courts nationwide. During that time, Melinda’s pro bono and volunteer contributions included service on the Executive Committee of the Board of TurnAround, Inc., Baltimore’s rape crisis center and service provider to survivors of human trafficking, sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence; pro bono representation of minor children in immigration proceedings with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND); development and pro bono work for Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service; and service as a Wingman for Athletes Serving Athletes.    Melinda is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. 

Maggie R. Robb, Esq., is the Chief Legal Officer of Empire Justice Center where she oversees the legal practice, compliance, human resources and serves as general counsel to the organization. She is also a member in the Civil Rights Practice Group where she primarily focuses on impact litigation on behalf of students with disabilities and matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act. Maggie joined the organization in 2012 after several years of private practice where she focused on general civil litigation. She is admitted to practice in the State of New York and admitted to practice in the U.S. Western District of New York. Ms. Robb is an active member of the Monroe County Bar Association having served in multiple rolls over the years including, former MCBA Foundation Board President and current member, MCBA President’s Commission on Anti-Racism, MCBA Board of Trustees, and MCBA Lawyers for Learning, MCBA By-Laws Committee and former member and chair of the MCBA Memorial Committee. Maggie is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Dayton School of Law.  Outside of work, Maggie and her golden retriever, Callie, volunteer with ROC Dog, a Rochester, New York based therapy dog organization that brings comfort, assistance, and joy to people in their community.