Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2026

Media Contact:
teamfamm@mrss.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today FAMM announced that Maria Goellner, Vice President of External Relations, is departing to accept a new role with the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Her last day with FAMM is June 18th.

”Maria has been an important member of the FAMM team over the past five years,” said Dr. Shaneva D. McReynolds, president of FAMM. “Throughout her tenure, she helped advance sentencing and prison reform efforts in states across the country, built strong relationships with advocates and families, and contributed meaningfully to our mission of creating a fairer and more effective justice system. We are grateful for her dedication, leadership, and service to FAMM, and we wish her continued success in her next chapter.”

Maria joined FAMM in 2021 as Pennsylvania State Policy Director and later served in several leadership roles, most recently as Vice President of External Relations. During her time at FAMM, she helped lead state policy initiatives, strengthened partnerships with advocates and stakeholders nationwide, and supported efforts to advance sentencing reform, second look, compassionate release, clemency, and prison conditions advocacy.

FAMM thanks Maria for her many contributions to FAMM and wishes her all the best in her future endeavors.

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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.