NAWJ's leadership is a reflection of its diverse membership, composed of women judges from all levels of the judiciary from across the nation. 

Executive Director Priya Purandare joins NAWJ with over a decade of non-profit experience overseeing large scale events, programs, and fundraising for national advocacy and membership organizations such as the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the American Public Health Association (APHA). Priya is a transformative leader with a proven track-record of implementing operational plans that move an organization forward. Experienced in the turnaround, she is entrepreneurial and innovative.

Most recently, Priya served as the Interim Executive Director of NAPABA where she applied her diverse leadership experience to grow the organization’s revenue generating departments—membership, development, and events. As the architect of the NAPABA Convention, Priya increased revenue and attendance through the strategic placement of future year Conventions, the expansion of the sponsorship program, and the engagement of stakeholders. Prior to NAPABA, she was the Meetings Manager at APHA whose Annual Meeting boasts 13,000 attendees and 600 exhibitors.

Priya holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from the George Washington University.

Lavinia Cousin has near 20 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations in functions spanning development, program management, research, accounting, marketing, and membership.  She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and the Haas School of Business.  

Maureen Gelwicks began her career in internet marketing for a privately owned online floral company. Wanting to transition her focus to not-for-profit management, Maureen began working for an Association Management Company. For the last decade, she has led the client services team supporting not-for-profits from several different industries. Today, Maureen is the Senior Operations Manager for multiple not-for-profit associations; she is data driven and results oriented in her operational approach. In addition to operations, she has skillfully executed over 50 meetings and conferences, supported educational development, governed multiple board of directors and supported the execution and development of the organizations’ strategic plans. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington. She is currently pursuing her Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential.