Defending the Foundations of a Free Society
Our Mission
MFI works to promote a social and legal order where families can thrive by safeguarding religious freedom, defending parents’ rights, protecting life from conception to natural death, and affirming the enduring value of marriage, family, and the dignity of every person. As an independent, nonprofit organization, MFI serves as a proactive public voice for families, churches, and communities across the Commonwealth.
Supported entirely by generous contributors, MFI remains committed to advancing policies that protect children, strengthen families, and uphold the freedoms essential to human flourishing.
Meet the Team Advancing the Mission
Our team brings together experience in law, education, ministry, and public policy to address the most pressing issues affecting families and faith communities with clarity, compassion, and conviction.
Michael King
President
As President of Massachusetts Family Institute, Michael provides strategic leadership for the organization’s work to defend life, strengthen families, and protect religious liberty across the Commonwealth. Before becoming president, he spent more than a decade as MFI’s Community Alliance Director, where he developed and led a broad statewide network of pastors, educators, and community leaders who partner with MFI to advance pro-family policy and cultivate principled civic engagement.
Jess Richardson
Director of Research & Engagement
Jess leads the organization’s research and investigative work on public policy issues affecting families and children across the Commonwealth. She also heads MFI’s Massachusetts Education Resource Center (MERC) and oversees Massachusetts Informed Parents (MIP). In these roles, she supports school committee members working to strengthen local governance and informs, equips, and empowers parents to advocate effectively for their children.
Sam Whiting
Chief Counsel
Attorney Whiting oversees MFI’s legal strategy and leads its pro bono law center, Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center (MLLC). In this role, he works to defend life, religious liberty, and constitutional freedoms while providing legal support to churches, families, and people of faith across the Commonwealth. A graduate of George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, he brings prior civil litigation experience to advance MFI’s mission in Massachusetts.
Tiffany Estrada
Director of Development
With extensive experience in nonprofit development, Tiffany brings a strong focus on donor engagement, strategic fundraising, and building sustainable systems that support long-term growth. She leads MFI’s fundraising strategy and cultivates partnerships that advance its mission across the Commonwealth. Tiffany is passionate about connecting supporters with meaningful opportunities to strengthen families and communities.
Mariah Newell
Director of Communications and Marketing
Mariah leads MFI’s messaging, brand strategy, media relations, and major communications initiatives. Her work strengthens MFI’s public voice and supports its policy, legal, and community engagement efforts across the Commonwealth. She holds degrees in Politics and Strategic Communications from Colorado Christian University and brings experience in public policy and advocacy.
Luz Burgos-Ortiz
Office Manager
Luz supports MFI’s development and administrative functions, helping to ensure that key systems and processes operate smoothly and effectively. She brings extensive experience working with individuals and families, along with a deep commitment to service and operational excellence. Through her work, Luz helps sustain and advance the organization’s mission to strengthen families across Massachusetts.
Mary Patryn
Counsel
Mary is an attorney with MFI’s pro bono law center, Massachusetts Liberty Legal Center (MLLC). In this role, she supports and advances its efforts to defend and promote constitutional freedoms across the Commonwealth. Mary brings to MFI over 25 years of civil litigation experience in both the state and federal courts, as well as a history of effective advocacy at the appellate court level.
Giovanna Johnson
Communications and Research Associate
Giovanna assists MFI’s communications and research initiatives, playing a key role in the organization’s policy analysis and public engagement efforts. Her work equips families, community leaders, and policymakers across the Commonwealth with clear, research-based insights. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Gordon College and brings a strong background in research, writing, and public policy communications.
Sam Morzella
Digital Media and Marketing Specialist
Sam advances MFI’s digital communications efforts through social media strategy, content creation, and storytelling initiatives. His work strengthens MFI’s online presence through compelling video, photography, and digital content that brings the organization’s mission to life and builds meaningful connections with audiences across platforms.
Hunter Young
Community Alliance Associate
Hunter champions MFI’s grassroots community efforts. He builds and nurtures relationships with pastors and community members across the Commonwealth, connecting people to the organization’s mission and strengthening the network of local voices that drives MFI’s work forward. He brings hands-on experience in conservative grassroots organizing from his time at the Leadership Institute and Turning Point USA.
Dr. Adam Rondeau
Senior Education Consultant
Adam partners closely with Massachusetts pastors and church leaders to develop and expand church-based learning centers (CBLCs) and other Christian education initiatives. Drawing on more than two decades of experience as a pastor, Christian educator, and school leader, he helps equip churches and families to establish sustainable, faith-centered educational options. He holds a B.A. in Christian Education, an M.A. in Theology, a Ph.D. in Executive Christian Leadership, and a D.Min in discipleship.
Michele Caronna
Education Consultant
Michele supports MFI’s education initiatives, helping equip parents and churches to take an active role in their children’s education. Drawing on more than fifteen years of experience in Christian education, homeschooling, and cooperative learning environments, she has helped establish and lead homeschool co-ops and supported the launch of church-based learning centers. Her work focuses on strengthening parent-led education and education freedom.
Engaging the Issues That Matter Most
MFI is committed to strengthening and supporting the family through our initiatives, research, and legal efforts. Guided by firm, faith-filled convictions, we work to promote and protect faith, family, and freedom throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
Life
MFI affirms the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death, and protects the most vulnerable, including the unborn and elderly.
Marriage
MFI upholds marriage between one man and one woman as the foundation of a healthy society.
Parenting
MFI provides resources and guidance to help parents defend their authority and raise healthy children in a stable family structure rooted in the presence of a mother and father.
Religious Liberty
MFI defends religious freedom, affirming the right to worship and live out beliefs publicly.
Education
MFI encourages and equips families to actively engage in education decisions, advocate for parental authority, and work to protect children from sexual content and harmful ideologies in schools.
Sexuality
MFI upholds biblical teaching on sexuality and affirms that every person is intentionally created male or female. We support parents as the primary guides in teaching their children about sexuality and oppose gender interventions and sexualized content in education and public policy.