Meet Hannah
Hannah will bring her fresh perspective, tireless work ethic, joy, and sharp analytical mind from Beverly’s City Council to the State House.
When I was in middle school, my dad was laid off from his job at GE. My family relied on unemployment benefits and my mom’s salary as a public school art teacher to make ends meet while he searched for a new job. Watching my parents face those challenges with resilience and hard work shaped who I am today. Their example motivated me to take on summer and work-study jobs to help pay for school and to push myself academically, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Yale and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard.
I fell in love with public service early, watching my parents participate in Town Meetings and public hearings. In high school, I took a government class that opened my eyes to the importance of civic engagement. I spent two summers working at the Massachusetts Department of Education, and after graduating from college, I worked for the Sonoma County government. These experiences deepened my commitment to making government work better for the people it serves.
Public service is still my way of giving back. It’s my way of honoring the values of hard work, community, and perseverance that my family instilled in me. I began my career in Economic Development with the Peace Corps, living and working in a small town in southeastern Ghana. There, I learned firsthand the power of community organizing, mutual aid, and shared vision to solve problems together. Those lessons have guided me throughout my career and continue to shape my approach.
Today, I serve as the Executive Director of a nonprofit on the North Shore that brings people together to tackle tough challenges. Our work focuses on conflict resolution and building stronger communication skills, empowering individuals and communities to create solutions that work for everyone.
When I was elected to the Beverly City Council, I got to work immediately. I took on National Grid in 2022 and won protections for residents during the transmission line project. I championed an ordinance allowing homeowners to build accessory dwelling units, helping address our housing needs. I also led efforts to increase transparency and auditing in city government, building trust in how we serve our residents.
Now, I’m running for State Representative to bring that same dedication and leadership to the Statehouse. I know how to create real, tangible results for our communities—whether it’s making the government more transparent, expanding housing options, or protecting residents’ interests. I’m ready to work hard and make a difference for all of us.
Community Service
Beverly Councilor at Large
JANUARY 2022 – PRESENT
Chair, Committee on Public Service
Council Liaison to Police Community Advisory Committee (2024-2025 term)
Council Liaison to Charter Review Committee (2022-2023 term)
Championed the accessory dwelling ordinance that allows homeowners to build units to help address our housing needs.
Led efforts to increase transparency and auditing in city government, building trust in how we serve our residents.
Took on National Grid in 2022 and won protections for residents during the transmission line project.
Helped residents hold Varian accountable for contamination
Strong voice for transparency, including putting out accessible summary of budget in 2022 and pushing for move to an online budget book that was implemented by the next cycle
Additional Community Service
Vice Chair, Beverly Democratic City Committee – Apr 2020 – May 2021 (member 2018-present)
Charter Review Committee, 2021-2022 and led the drafting of recommendations in 2021
LEADS North Shore Fellow – 2022-2023 (https://www.leadsma.org/)
Ward 2 Civic Association active member
Nonprofit member of Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce
Sponsor at Beverly Homecoming and active in community events as a sponsor, volunteer, and participant
We endorse Hannah for State Rep
Mary Grant
Former Essex 06 State Rep
Kevin Burke
Former Essex 06 State Rep, former Essex County District Attorney, and former MA Secretary of Public Safety & Security
Sierra Club
Eileen Duff
Register of Deeds for Southern Essex County and former 5th District Governor’s Councilor
Pat Grimes
Former Beverly City Councilor
and Charlie Grimes
Former Assistant Attorney for Essex County D.A. Office
Dr. Matt Ferreira
Associate Superintendent in New Hampshire and Beverly Resident
Career
CURRENT
Executive Director
The Resolution Center – North Shore Community Mediation Center
Beverly, MA
JUNE 2021 – PRESENT
Partner with District, Juvenile, and Probate & Family Courts to provide alternative dispute resolution to hundreds of Essex County residents every year
Mediate disputes between neighbors, tenants/landlords, small businesses, families, and individuals preparing to return home from incarceration
Train community members in conflict and communication skills
PAST
Director of Events & Communications, Intentional Endowments Network, Andover, MA, Feb 2019 – Jun 2021
Director, ACTION Partnership Secretariat, RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund, Washington, DC, Dec 2014 – Dec 2018
Director of Policy & Advocacy, Malaria No More, Washington D.C., Nov 2011 – Dec 2014
Project Manager, Africa Region, InterMedia: Communication Research, Washington D.C. and Nairobi, Kenya, Sep 2009 – Oct 2011
Small Enterprise Development Volunteer, United States Peace Corps, Ghana, Sep 2004 – Nov 2006
Project Coordinator, Sonoma County Economic Development Board, Santa Rosa, CA, Jul 2003 to Jun 2004
Education
Harvard Kennedy School, Masters, Public Administration in International Development, 2007 – 2009
Yale University, Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Political Science and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Distinction in the Major), 1999 – 2003
Swampscott High School, 1999
Family
Daughter of Dave and Anne, Lynn, MA
Sister(& in-law) to Emily and Nick, and proud aunt to two nieces in Marblehead
Partner to Raja, father of two
How to get involved
Donate
to support the campaign
Volunteer
to join our amazing team
Subscribe
to stay up to date on news and events
Follow on social
to stay up to date on news and events