Katherine Garrahan Nominated for United Way of Tri-County Athena Leadership Award

January 29, 2019

Katherine Garrahan, partner in the firm’s Real Estate & Environmental practice, has been nominated for a Athena Leadership Award by the United Way of Tri-County. The award recognizes a prominent leader in the MetroWest region who has volunteered to assist women and/or girls in achieving their full leadership potential outside of their daily job responsibilities.

Returning to school at age 40 with young daughters as a newly single parent, Katherine charted a path leading to a new career in law and eventual partnership at Bowditch & Dewey. Katherine’s practice focuses on real estate development, land use planning, zoning, permitting, conveyancing and leasing matters for commercial, healthcare and nonprofit clients. She frequently appears before local and state authorities, including municipal boards and commissions in MetroWest and Worcester.

Since 2003, Katherine has been a key leader with the local nonprofit Alliance for MetroWest Unity, which awards local high school students identified as “Leaders in Diversity.” Through these annual awards and publicity of the amazing work of local young leaders who are making a difference by their work combating prejudice — including due to race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age and national origin — the quality of life for girls and women, and others who have faced discrimination, is positively impacted.

In addition to her work with the Alliance for MetroWest Unity, Katherine volunteers as Vice President of the Board for MetroWest Legal Services, with a particular commitment to their work with families facing domestic abuse and homelessness. She chaired the Public Policy and Economic Development Committee of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce for several years, and currently serves as Chair of its Board of Directors. In 2015, Katherine was selected by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly for its 2015 “Top Women of Law” Award, an award that highlights women who are “pioneers, educators, trailblazers, and role models.”

The award winners and nominees will be celebrated at the 2019 United Way of Tri-County Shining Stars Event on Thursday, February 28.