Editor’s note: Newsmakers is a regular feature spotlighting accomplishments of Newton community members, businesses and organizations.

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Newton resident elected to Mass Society of CPAs Board of Directors

The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants today announced that Julie Chasse, CPA, was elected to serve on its board for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which began May 1.

Chasse, a Newton resident, is a director at Northeastern University where she oversees the graduate accounting programs and leads student success initiatives. Northeastern is a global research institution renowned for its unique experience-driven educational approach, spearheading experiential learning through its expansive cooperative education program.

MassCPAs Board of Directors is a group of 19 elected members that sets policies, manages programs and oversees activities that benefit the 11,500-member organization and the accounting profession in Massachusetts.

“MassCPAs Board of Directors are an exceptional and diverse group of forward-thinking leaders,” said Zach Donah, CAE, president and CEO of MassCPAs. “Their fresh ideas and strategic insight will help shape our initiatives and foster innovation across the accounting profession in Massachusetts. I am confident that Julie’s involvement will be instrumental in driving long-term growth and value for our members and the industry.”

Chasse leads student recruitment for the MS in Accounting and MS in Accounting/MBA programs, spearheading an Advisory Board with leaders from the Big 4 and global accounting firms to refine the curriculum, and aligns student goals with employer needs.

Her background includes teaching accounting at Des Moines Area Community College and overseeing the Volunteer Income Tax Preparation program in partnership with United Way. Before teaching, she was a tax manager at EY.

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Left to right: Susan Paley, Jennifer Pucci, Shalini Tendulkar, Lisa Goldstein Gordon, Jenny Klein-Sosa. Photo courtesy Newton Neighbors

Newton Neighbors announces new leaders

Local nonprofit Newton Neighbors has announced that Jenny Klein-Sosa and Susan Paley have been named board chair and president, respectively.

“This transition marks an important milestone for our organization and is a reflection of our commitment to building an organization that will grow, adapt, thrive, and endure,” the outgoing leadership co-wrote in the organization’s newsletter. “Both Jenny and Susan have deep roots in our community, amazing leadership talents, and a strong commitment to the values of our organization and to building our next chapter at Newton Neighbors. We share more about their rich background and experiences below.”

Klein-Sosa is a clinical psychologist, a former state policy analyst and a special education advocate and has served in several organizations over the years.

“I feel a strong connection to this organization’s mission—fostering compassion, connection, and care across our community,” she wrote in the announcement. “When so many face isolation, adversity, or instability, Newton Neighbors offers something powerful: a model of what happens when neighbors truly show up for one another.”

Paley has served in many nonprofit organizations as well, and last year she retired from Village Bank as their community relations officer.

“One of my strengths is in connecting people throughout the city so that we all can do the most good for the most people,” Paley wrote. “Collaboration is vital and valuable, and, as I begin my term as president, I want to build relationships that will strengthen us all.”

Newton Neighbors started out as a group of Newtonians on Facebook collecting essential items for people who needed them in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it grew into a 501c that helps facilitate mutual aid and community connection.

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NCP leaders, left to right: Blair Sullivan, executive director; Meryl Kessler, chair; Pat Rand; and Julie Pierce, co-chair of NCP’s Beautification Committee joined 20 people recognizing Rand’s service. Photo by Howard Sholkin

Newton Community Pride pays tribute to Pat Rand

Newton Community Pride recently honored Pat Rand for her decades of service.

Rand has led volunteers caring for the Newton Center, Library, City Hall, and Albermarle gardens. Mayor Fuller gave Rand a proclamation in her honor.

A shrub was also planted in her honor in the garden, and a little library for garden related topics will be located near the garden.

Goodwill opens new donation center in Nonantum

Donating clothing, household goods and other items is now a little easier for Newtonians. Goodwill has opened a donation drop-off center—staffed seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.—in the American Legion Post 440 parking lot, 295 California St., Nonantum.

“Goodwill is a community-based nonprofit organization. Its mission is to help individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency to achieve independence and dignity through work,” said Joanne K. Hilferty, president and CEO of Goodwill. “Community donations support our retail social enterprise, which helps individuals in our job training and career programs find jobs and makes low cost, quality goods available to individuals and families looking to stretch their dollars.”

Visit https://www.goodwillmass.org/what-to-donate/ for a full list of acceptable items.