PRESS RELEASE
September 8, 2025
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today FAMM (formerly known as Families Against Mandatory Minimums) has announced that Maria Goellner has been appointed as Vice President of External Relations. In this role, Maria will advance FAMM’s national, nonpartisan mission to move America to a system of justice that incentivizes and prioritizes redemption and rehabilitation.
“Maria’s background as a litigator and policy expert will help FAMM translate complex sentencing issues into clear public messaging and will also strengthen our work to advance a fair, effective justice system that upholds accountability and dignity,” said Dr. Shaneva D. McReynolds, president of FAMM. “I’m confident Maria will drive our second-chances agenda forward.”
“Every day at FAMM I have the honor of meeting people all over the country who are working to improve our justice system – families, advocates, lawmakers, and more,” said Maria. “We are a nation of opportunity and second chances, and our laws should reflect that. I am looking forward to using this new role to lead our efforts to grow and support the national community of second look advocates, uplift the critical work of this community in the media and culture, and scale the voices of families and the movement by building relationships and resources in all 50 states.”
In Maria’s previous role, she worked to push forward FAMM’s policy priorities in state legislatures around the country. Before joining FAMM, Maria represented the rights and dignity of thousands of people as a litigator with the Federal Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and previously in Queens, New York and Fort Myers, Florida.
FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safely reduce incarceration, save taxpayer dollars, and keep families together. Founded in 1991, FAMM has secured bold sentencing and prison reform across the country while elevating the voices of directly impacted individuals and families.
