New ‘World in Watertown’ Board Members Hope to Continue Human Rights Work in the Community

By Dan Hogan | February 13, 2023
WCA-TV News Director interviews Xin Peng, World in Watertown Chair


WATERTOWN – The new Chair of the Board for the long-time civic organization World in Watertown Xin Peng joined WCN on the February 9th, 2023 edition to talk about the organization’s new members, how it has given some inout into the city’s Human Rights Commission ordinance, and much more.

On January 15th, 2023, the World in Watertown announced six new members of its Board of Directors.

The World in Watertown Board of Directors is delighted to announce a transition to new leadership. 

World in Watertown grew out of an unsuccessful effort to establish an official Human Rights Commission in 1999-2000.  Since then, World in Watertown has sponsored a variety of human rights-related projects and programs over the years, including the popular Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast and many other educational events. However, with the passing of one of its founding members and the restrictions of the pandemic, the organization has been less active in recent years.

Now a successful outreach effort by Nicole Gardner, Treasurer, and past Board members has resulted in the recruitment of a new leadership team who will provide new vision and energy to World in Watertown.  The new World in Watertown Board members include Xin Peng, Chair, Bevin Croft, Ben Jerome, Rachel Kay, and Sarah Zoen.  Nicole Gardner will continue to serve as Treasurer.  See brief bios for these new Board members, below.

The new board includes community activists who have already demonstrated their commitment to continuing the work that has been so central to World in Watertown.  Beginning in 2021, as part of the Charter Review process, they gathered information from other communities and drafted  recommendations for a new Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Watertown.   They are committed to continuing their advocacy for human rights and equality through a revitalized World in Watertown.

Retiring Board members include Chuck Dickinson, David Downes, Joanne Hammil, Larry Raskin, Susan Klaw, and Will Twombly.    They are excited about the energetic and caring younger adults who want to carry on the spirit and work of the organization that has advocated for fairness, understanding, and inclusion for over two decades. They couldn’t be happier to welcome these wonderful people as new leaders, and have pledged to remain active and do all they can to support them and assist with a smooth transition. 

Meet World in Watertown’s New Board of Directors

Xin Peng, Chair          
(he/him)

I moved to the US from China for graduate school when I was 20 years old and currently live in Watertown with my husband Dylan. I work as a full-time Software Engineering Manager at ZoomInfo in Waltham, and as a part-time Yoga instructor, teaching all-level yoga classes that are open to the community.

I am a first-generation immigrant interested in promoting equity and inclusion with a focus on Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations and establishing solidarity between AAPI populations and other underrepresented groups. I first became involved in community work in Watertown when I organized a rally at Watertown Square after the 2021 shootings of Asian Americans in Atlanta.

Before moving to the US, I volunteered for the National Intercity Games of the People’s Republic of China and as a teacher for a school in a poverty-stricken mountainous area. I co-established and currently run an AAPI committee at ZoomInfo, volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, and volunteer at the Farm with Food for Free.

Nicole Gardner, Treasurer
(she/her)

I live in the East End, with my husband and cats. Before retiring, my career was in management consulting, HR, and Diversity & Inclusion.

My ‘second act’ was at Perkins School for the Blind, starting a program to help blind and visually impaired young adults get into the workforce. I am committed to sustainability, equity, and transparency in government. I’m involved in activist groups in Watertown, including World in Watertown, Watertown Forward, and Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment. I’m a proud founder of Buy Nothing Watertown, which has strengthened our community while lightening our impact on the earth.

I am honored to serve as the City Councilor for District A. I have an MBA from HBS.

Rachel Kay, Clerk / Secretary
(she / her)

I live in Watertown with my son, Adam, a student at Lowell.  I have a PhD in Educational Research and Measurement from Boston College and currently work at MIT Admissions Office as Director of Research and Data Analysis.

Professionally, I have been involved in education including math curriculum, assessment, and measuring results for over 25 years. In Watertown, I serve on the board of Watertown’s SEPAC (Special Education Parents Advisory Committee) and a member of the Commission on Disability, supporting my belief in equity and accessibility for all.

I look forward to more opportunities to promote these values as part of World in Watertown.

Ben Jerome
(he/him)

I immigrated to the US along with my mom and siblings from Haiti to join my dad when I was 17 years old. I am a graduate of Boston Public Schools and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

I hold liberal left leaning political views and am a strong believer in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Along with my family, I have been a member of the Watertown First Parish for the past 6 years. During this time, I have been active in religious education, teaching Sunday classes, WFP Families of Color Affinity group, pledge drive as a personal caller as well as a circle supper facilitator.

I am also a member of the leadership team for the Annual Unity Breakfast in Watertown. I am involved in my children’s school’s diversity organization and sing with my kids in the North Cambridge Family Opera.

I earn a living as an automation test engineer in the digital experience department at MassMutual and love working on various coding projects as well as woodworking in my free time.

Bevin Croft
(she/her)

I live on the West End of Watertown with my partner and two kids who attend Cunniff Elementary.

I hold a masters and doctorate in social policy and direct the behavioral health team at the Human Services Research Institute where I conduct research and provide technical assistance for disability, mental health, and addiction treatment systems.

In my work, I am interested in person-centered practices that promote self-determination and seek to elevate the voices of people with disabilities and others who’ve been historically left out of system-level decision making. In previous roles, I oversaw the human rights program for a large psychiatric rehabilitation organization in the Boston area and served as a Human Rights Commissioner in the city of Cambridge.

In my personal and professional life, I am interested in creating opportunities for transformative growth and dismantling inequities in communities and systems.

Sarah Zoen
(she/her)

I live in the West End of Watertown with my husband, Dan, and our two boys, Keanu and Rai. Keanu is at the Cunniff and Rai is at the Hosmer. I am an associate director at Corporate Citizenship (CC), a sustainability consulting firm, where I advise companies on human rights and social impact.

Prior to CC, I spent 15 years at Oxfam America where I campaigned and advocated for human rights and gender equality in global supply chains. My local volunteering work started through diversity and inclusion efforts in the public schools and the Watertown Community Conversations initiative.

In addition to serving on the WiW board, I am also a board member of the Boston Network for International Development, which promotes mentoring and networking among development practitioners and students in New England. I hold an MA in Education and Sustainable International Development.

Watch the full interview with Xin Peng below

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