Update

This week, we express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for two exceptional individuals as they complete their tenure on the board. Chris Covington and Rebecca Hillyer have demonstrated unwavering dedication to our mission and have made significant contributions to propel the Prison Society forward.

Rebecca Hillyer

Outgoing board President Rebecca Hillyer is a litigation partner at Morgan Lewis. Rebecca represents clients in the medical device, pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology, and financial services industries. She is also a member of the firm's Recruiting and Pro Bono Committees.

Rebecca joined the Prison Society board in 2018 and assumed the role of Board President in 2021. During her time with the Prison Society, Rebecca has played a vital role in updating the organization's governing documents, a task that hadn't been undertaken in over a century. She has also guided the organization through uncharted territory, including challenges related to the Society's access to the Philadelphia prisons during the post-COVID period. "Rebecca's dedication, thoughtfulness, and leadership have been invaluable," says Steve Chanenson, the current board secretary. Rebecca has been unwavering in her support of the Society, accompanying Philadelphia volunteers in their work, extending invitations to the Society to speak at Morgan Lewis, and leveraging her personal and professional networks for the benefit of the Society.

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Chris Covington

Chris Covington, CFA, serves as the Head of Investments for AJOVista, an investment firm based in Boston and Philadelphia, which he co-founded. With extensive experience in the investment industry spanning several decades, Chris holds an undergraduate degree in Mathematical Economics from Colorado College and an MS from Boston University Questrom School of Business, specializing in investments. Apart from his professional pursuits, Chris is passionate about the outdoors and has participated in numerous ultradistance trail races.

In 2018, Chris joined the Prison Society board, drawing inspiration from his volunteer work at Back on My Feet—an organization that utilizes running as a tool to help individuals reintegrate into society. From 2019 to 2022, Chris served as the Society's treasurer. "Chris is responsible for the fiscal strength of the Prison Society today," says Seth Williams, the current board treasurer. "He collaborated closely with Claire from the beginning of her tenure to rebuild the organization's financial foundation after a challenging period. The Society could not be where it is today without Chris." Executive Director Claire Shubik-Richards adds, "Chris not only put tremendous time and thought into the Society's finances, he also brought his heart. Seeing Chris with our mentees, our staff, being in prison with Chris, he embodies the empathy-in-action spirit of the Prison Society."

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