Maura Somers Dughi

A Lifetime Member of the Prevent Child Abuse America board of directors, Maura Somers Dughi began her career in the Juvenile Rights Division of the Legal Aid Society, in New York City. By representing children in child abuse and neglect cases, persons in need of supervision, juvenile delinquency, youthful offender and criminal court proceedings, the connection between early childhood and future life experiences was readily apparent. This inspired Ms. Dughi to concentrate on preventing children from ever experiencing abuse or neglect in the first place. 

Ms. Dughi has championed child abuse prevention for more than 35 years, sitting on the board of directors of Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, as well as Prevent Child Abuse America. She has served as Chairman of the Board and on the executive committee for both, leading efforts on the state and national level to protect children. She has been appointed to the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect by five successive governors and chaired the Prevention Committee and the Home Visiting Work Group for the state of New Jersey. She has served on the boards of numerous child-serving organizations at the state and local level. In 2015 Ms. Dughi was honored with the New Jersey Governor’s Jefferson Awards for Lifetime Service.