Newton’s Economic Development Director To Retire In April

NEWTON, MA — Newton’s Economic Development Director Devra Bailin will retire next month after three years in her position, reported the Charles River Regional Chamber

Bailin, a Wellesley College and Harvard Law School graduate, joined the City of Newton in 2019 after serving in the same position in Needham for nine years. She has helped develop economic strategies, public-private partnerships, and programs, policies, procedures and zoning to streamline and support economic development in both communities.

In addition, Bailin was a board member of the Charles River Regional Chamber for nine years and has remained active with the organization. She also served as a board member of the 128 Business Council and on the Needham Planning Board for 15 years.

"Bailin brought tenacity and passion to her work and, in spite of an often-challenging environment, somehow always managed to answer her phone with a smile,” said Greg Reibman, President of the Charles River Regional Chamber, in a news update Tuesday.

Bailin succeeded Kathryn Ellis, who moved on from the Economic Development Director position to become Director of the UMass Amherst Innovation Institute at the former Mount Ida campus in Newton.