Molly Fowler stands as the Executive Director of Justice Partners, Inc., an organization she established to propel social change through meticulous inquiry and impactful investigation. Justice Partners is dedicated to supporting civil and human rights activists, forging alliances with investigators, journalists, filmmakers, and storytellers to amplify critical narratives.
Fowler’s transition to this pivotal role followed a distinguished 30-year career as a journalist and filmmaker in New York City. Her move to Louisiana marked a significant shift towards focusing on post-conviction investigation, where she joined the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights. As a Mitigation Specialist, she championed the cause of children facing life imprisonment and adults sentenced to life as minors – sentences later deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Her unwavering objective is to meticulously and credibly reframe narratives, challenging the often-simplified versions presented by those prioritizing conviction over justice for the truly guilty.
An award-winning producer, director, and writer across television, film, and drama, Fowler’s documentary work has resonated across prominent networks including PBS, Discovery, National Geographic, Lifetime, OWN, and A&E. Her immersive approach to storytelling led her to live within a men’s maximum-security prison in Louisiana to create “Serving Life” for Oprah’s Doc Club. Executive produced alongside Forest Whitaker, this impactful documentary garnered Christopher and Humanitas Awards, among other accolades. Her extensive career includes roles as Producer for ABC News PrimeTime Live and Senior Producer for ABCNews Nightline’s Beyond Belief on OWN. It was at OWN that she began her collaboration with NY Times best-selling author, now Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore. Together, they produced the PBS series “Coming Back with Wes Moore,” delving into the complex re-entry challenges faced by American war veterans. Furthermore, she produced three feature-length documentaries for the New York Times and spearheaded two projects through the Tribeca All Access program, one of which premiered at the Tribeca Festival to a captivated audience of 10,000. Her industry leadership also includes serving as a network executive for ABC, where she oversaw all facets of production and program development.
Justice Partners’ inaugural documentary project, “Born to Be,” premiered to sold-out venues and critical acclaim at the 2019 New York Film Festival. In 2021, Fowler received an Emmy nomination as its Executive Producer, further solidifying her commitment to impactful storytelling.
Since 2019, Fowler’s mitigation work through Justice Partners has extended crucial support and guidance to over 30 incarcerated individuals serving unlawful sentences. Justice Partners proudly celebrates the freedom of nine of these individuals, a testament to their dedication and effectiveness in advocating for justice.
