Editor’s note: Newsmakers is a regular feature spotlighting accomplishments of Newton community members, businesses and organizations. Have an announcement you’d like to include? Email editor@newtonbeacon.org.

Jackson Walnut Park School has a new leader

Patricia Lynn Gray has been appointed head of school at the Jackson Walnut Park School in Newtonville.

Gray has worked in education for 16 years, and her most recent role was in leadership at Notre Dame de Sion, a private school in Kansas City, Mo. And before that, she was a corporate executive for almost 30 years.

“Patricia’s leadership experience, particularly in a Catholic independent school that integrates early childhood Montessori education with rigorous elementary academics, makes her a perfect fit for Jackson Walnut Park School,” Co-chairpersons of Jackson Walnut Park’s Board of Trustees Patricia de Leeuw and Michael Callnan said in a joint statement. “Her dedication to fostering a vibrant learning environment and her strong sense of community will help guide us into an exciting new chapter.”

Jackson Walnut is the only institution in the Boston area offering Montessori early childhood education and an elementary Catholic curriculum.

Dana Sullivan of Newton stars in the Weston Friendly Society’s production of “She Loves Me” this month. Courtesy photo

Newtonian takes stage in theatrical RomCom ‘She Loves Me’

Newton resident Dana Sullivan will take the stage Nov. 22-29 in the Weston Friendly Society’s production of “She Loves Me,” a holiday-themed romantic comedy set in the 1930s, way before direct messages on social media and dating apps.

The play follows two European parfumerie coworkers, Georg and Amalia (played by Sullivan), as they separately respond to a “lonely hearts” ad in the newspaper. Often at odds at work, they are unaware that they are each other’s unlikely anonymous admirer.

The script is by Joe Masteroff, who wrote “Cabaret,” with songs written by “Fiddler on the Roof” songwriting team Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick.

“She Loves Me” will be performed at the Weston Town Hall on Nov. 22, 23, 28 and 29. There are 7:30 p.m. performances on Nov. 22, 28 and 29 and 2 p.m. matinees on Nov. 23 and 29.

Tickets are $28 for adults and $25 for seniors and students, and they’re available at www.westonfriendly.org.

Emily Mason is the new director of development at Mainstay Supportive Housing & Home Care in Newton. Courtesy photo

Newtonian appointed development director at Mainstay

Dr. Emily L. Mason, PhD, has been appointed as new director of development at Mainstay Supportive Housing & Home Care in Newton.

“Mainstay is such a phenomenal organization,” Mason said. “I just adore its emphasis on providing the support necessary for people to live with autonomy and a sense of personal fulfillment.” She added, “development work is my passion. I’m ecstatic I can use my skillset to bolster the success of this nonprofit I so deeply admire.”

Mason has worked with various nonprofits in development, program coordination and marketing capacities and, before joining Mainstay, she served as development manager at the MetroWest Women’s Fund, where she helped to promote a robust donor pipeline through prospecting efforts, grants management and other fundraising strategies.

Mason has a PhD in Sociology and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Connecticut.

“The board of directors and I are thrilled that Emily has joined the team here at Mainstay,” Larry Oaks, president and CEO of Mainstay, said. “She’s very talented and enthusiastic and has great ideas about how to advance our development work over the next year and beyond.”

Kacy Spivack has been named national secretary of Hadassah. Courtesy photo

Newton native named national secretary of Hadassah

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, recently elected three officers to the executive committee of its national board, and one of those new board members is Newton native Kacy Spivack, who will succeed Marcia Gabrilove Ladin as Hadassah’s national secretary starting Jan. 1, 2026.

Spivack, a Hadassah member since 1985, now lives in Dallas and is a member of the Dallas chapter and the former president of both the El Paso chapter and the Desert-Mountain region. As chair of National Assembly Enrichment and co-chair of Blueprint Training 2.0, she plays a key role in preparing Hadassah’s national, regional and local volunteer leaders for their roles.

Spivack has served as a national vice president, chair of the National Leadership Department and the Data Analysis and Impact Center, and co-chair of Region Presidential Development. A retired preschool teacher and office manager, she is the third generation of a five-generation Hadassah family. With her husband, Steve Spivack, a retired dentist and a Hadassah Associate, she is a member of Hadassah’s Circle of Founders and Keepers of the Gate donor societies.