Keynote Speakers

Pratt N. Wiley
President & CEO, The Partnership, Inc.



Pratt Norton Wiley is the President and CEO of The Partnership, Inc., New England’s premier organization dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of the region by attracting, developing, retaining and convening multicultural professionals. During its 33 year history, The Partnership has collaborated with 500 corporations who have sponsored 6,500 multicultural executives and professionals in the organization’s innovative leadership development programming. 

Pratt is a leader and strategic planner in fields ranging from law, politics, non-profit management and business management.  Previously, Pratt served as the National Director of Voter Expansion for the Democratic National Committee, where he was responsible for designing and executing the DNC’s program to ensure that every eligible voter was able to register and vote, and that every vote was accurately counted, from 2013 to 2017. The Voter Expansion program served the political arm to President Barack Obama by supporting Democratic candidates, campaigns, state parties and progressive organizations in all 50 states through the development of tools, resources, and networks dedicated to advancing voting rights. 

April C. English
Chief Secretary of Appointments
Office of the Governor



April English serves as the Chief Secretary to Governor Maura T. Healey. As Chief Secretary, she oversees the administration's efforts to fill appointments throughout the administration and on boards and commissions. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Chief Secretary English worked in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office for over 19 years. She began her career in the Attorney General’s office working as an Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division. As a civil litigator, Chief Secretary English handled a wide range of cases including matters of telemarketing fraud, telecommunications, lead in children’s toys, debt settlement and credit counseling, false advertising, and mortgage fraud. Eventually, Chief Secretary English transitioned to the Criminal Bureau where she served as Deputy Division Chief and as Director of the Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division/Unit. As a prosecutor in the Criminal Bureau, she investigated and prosecuted those who committed fraud against insurers and against the Commonwealth’s unemployment insurance and worker’s compensation system. 

During her last 6 years at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Chief Secretary English served as the first Chief of Organization Development & Diversity/Inclusion. In this role, she oversaw the workplace composition and culture across the Office, and helped manage recruitment, professional development, mentoring, diversity, inclusion, retention, and racial justice and equity throughout the work of the office.