Newton Hires New Economic Development Director

NEWTON, MA — Newton has hired Devra Bailin as the city's new Economic Development Director. Bailin comes to Newton after serving in the same position in Needham for the past nine years.

The Wellesley College and Harvard Law School graduate helped develop economic strategies, public-private partnerships, and programs, policies, procedures and zoning to streamline and support economic development in the neighboring town. Bailin has been a board member of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce for the past six years, as well as a board member of the 128 Business Council. She also served on the Needham Planning Board for 15 years.

Bailin succeeds Kathryn Ellis, who is now Director of the UMass Amherst Innovation Institute at the former Mount Ida campus in Newton. She will work in the Department of Planning and Development to advance Newton's economic and development efforts. She will also serve as the chief liaison to the Newton business community and will work with the city's Economic Development Commission.

Bailin will start at the beginning of October.