In January, the Chicago Debate Commission Board welcomed two new members, April Perry and Mary Richardson-Lowry. Each will bring a breadth of knowledge and expertise to the CDC Board, and we are pleased to have them as part of our team.

Mary Richardson-Lowry is a partner at Mayer Brown with a concentration in public law. She is the past president of the Chicago Board of Education. She previously served as Commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Buildings and as assistant to former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Ms. Richardson-Lowry has been recognized by Crain’s 100 Most Influential Women. She received the Abraham Lincoln Center Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2010, and the National Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women in Illinois Award in 2011. A passionate advocate for debate, Ms. Richardson-Lowry has supported the Chicago Debate League for many years and now leads Mayer Brown’s partnership with the Chicago Debate Commission.

April Perry, Assistant United States Attorney, Criminal Division, is also Adjunct Professor at John Marshall Law School and Instructor of Trial Advocacy at the National Advocacy Center. Ms. Perry participated on Northwestern University’s National Mock Trial Team. She continues to be involved in Mock Trial as the Co-chair of the Lawndale Community Academy 8th Grade Mock Trial Program, and lecturer and judge for Mock Trial Academy. She brings to the CDC a strong background in providing students with the skills of advocacy.