Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations hires Executive Director

AUGUSTA - The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations announced the hiring of Ariel Ricci (she/they) as its first permanent Executive Director. Ariel brings 20 years of experience spanning international human rights law, organizational leadership, and program evaluation in Maine to the task of leading the Permanent Commission.

“Ariel brings critical leadership and vision to the Permanent Commission at a crucial time in its development. Since the Commission was established in 2019, the pressing need to address the impact of structural racism has only become more apparent,” said Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, co-chair of the Permanent Commission. “I look forward to working with Ariel, as she leads the Permanent Commission in its mission to improve the status and outcomes for historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations in Maine.”

“We are so pleased to have Ariel join the Permanent Commission as its first permanent Executive Director, bringing leadership and vision to the work,” said Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador Maulian Dana, co-chair of the Permanent Commission. “We are fortunate to have found someone with Ariel’s experience to lead our efforts to shine a light on racial disparities in Maine and work toward a brighter future for all of us.”

“I am humbled and honored to become the first permanent Executive Director of the Permanent Commission. I firmly believe that combating structural racism as it impacts Maine’s racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations is a necessary way to improve the quality of life for all Mainers,” said Ricci.  “I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to develop data-informed approaches to identifying and reducing racial disparities in Maine.”

Ariel grew up in Maine and spent 15 years living in London, England, before returning to Maine in 2017.  Ariel has a BA in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine and an MA in Human Rights from the University of Essex. While in London, Ariel practiced as a barrister, specializing in family law cases involving domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and international child abduction.  On return to Maine, Ariel conducted program evaluations and government accountability investigations at the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability, a non-partisan office of the Maine State Legislature.  Most recently, Ariel worked at an international non-profit evaluating effectiveness and outcomes for federal STEM entrepreneurship training programs, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations was established in 2019, with the enactment of LD 777 and began its work in late 2021, after receiving its first funding with the enactment of LD 1034.  The Permanent Commission has a mission to examine racial disparities across all systems with a goal of improving the status and outcomes for the historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations in the state. The Permanent Commission is empowered to advise all three branches of Maine government and to introduce legislation. More information about the Permanent Commission’s work can be found on its website: https://www.pcritp.me/