Newton Community Pride Elects Six New Board Members

NEWTON, MA — Newton Community Pride, a local nonprofit working to build community through arts and culture programming, beautification projects, and local volunteer work, elected six new directors at their January board meeting.

The new directors joining the existing 11 member board are Attorney Randall Yee, Executive Legal Recruiter with Parker & Lynch, Renande Loayza, Academic Coordinator at Bentley College, FORJ board member, and co-chair of the inaugural Juneteenth Celebration, Christopher Steele, economic business consultant and former Chair of Newton’s Economic Development Commission, Regina Farnese, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of Auburndale’s Village Bank, John DeVito, Executive Director of Nonantum’s Adams Street Guild, and Krysia Villon, chef and small business owner of Chiqui’s Kitchen and founding member of Newton’s Indigenous People’s Day Celebration.

“Newton Community Pride is delighted to welcome six community leaders from diverse backgrounds, professions and villages who are committed to building community and vibrant village centers with arts and culture programming.” said Board Chair Gloria Gavris in a statement.

“Our newly elected board members bring an excellent track record of advocacy, event planning, and leadership in our community and I’m delighted to welcome them to our board,” she continued. "Their voice, passions and interests will make our organization stronger and more impactful to better serve our community."

The six new directors will join existing board members Vice Chair Dinny Starr, Treasurer Meryl Kessler, Clerk Howie Sholkin, Seana Gaherins, Mark Jurilla, Emily O’Neil, Damien Chaviano, Barbara Darnell, Phil Dawes, and John Rice.