Above: NECC announced that a new CEO is taking over as the founder steps into an advisory role. (images from NECC website)
Yesterday, The New England Center for Children announced that founder Vinne Strully is stepping aside from CEO after close to five decades. The new CEO is Dr. Jessica Sassi.
The Southborough based center for autism education and research shared the announcement below:
Jessica Sassi, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, Begins Tenure as New CEO of The New England Center of Children
Founder L. Vincent Strully, Jr. steps into executive advisor role after 48 years as CEO
Southborough, MA (August 28, 2023) – Effective today, Jessica Sassi, PhD, BCBA-D, LABA, begins her new position as Chief Executive Officer of The New England Center for Children® (NECC®), a global leader in autism education and research. Dr. Sassi succeeds L. Vincent Strully, Jr., the organization’s founder, who served as CEO for all of NECC’s 48 years. Mr. Strully will continue to serve as an executive advisor and on the Board of Directors.
Dr. Sassi has more than 20 years of autism education and applied behavior analysis experience. In She was named executive advisor in 2020 and executive director of NECC’s Southborough campus in 2021.
“For nearly two decades, through my work as both a clinician and an administrator, I have had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of the best researchers and teachers in the autism and behavior analysis fields,” shared Dr. Sassi. “I’m proud to be part of an organization that offers premier educational services to children with autism, and I’m committed to holding us to the highest standards. Our commitment to staff professional development and forming the next generation of educators is key to achieving our vision of a world where autism is not a barrier.”
“Helping children with autism has been my life’s work for more than 48 years, and I feel confident that NECC will continue to grow in its excellence under Dr. Sassi’s leadership,” said Mr. Strully. “I am proud of the accomplishments NECC has achieved, and the thousands of children and families whose lives we have transformed. I have worked closely with Dr. Sassi for many years and know she has the skills and experience to steer NECC to a bright future. Her background in research enables her to lead from a unique perspective, and it is something from which our NECC students and staff will benefit.”
NECC announced its succession plan in November 2020, allowing the NECC community to prepare for Mr. Strully’s departure. Over the last three years, he has worked with Dr. Sassi and the executive team to ensure a seamless transition in leadership.
Prior to working at NECC, Dr. Sassi served as a clinical specialist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She received her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Florida.
Mr. Strully founded NECC 48 years ago, and in that time has grown the organization into a global leader in autism education, research, and technology. Under Mr. Strully’s leadership, NECC experienced remarkable growth since its founding in 1975 with a $30,000 state grant and six staff. Today, NECC employs 1,200 people, operates with a $119 million budget, and serves over 12,000 students and teachers across the United States and in 13 countries.
ABOUT NECC
The New England Center for Children® (NECC®) is an award-winning autism education center and research institute. Committed to creating a world where autism is not a barrier to happiness, growth, and independence, our community of teachers, researchers, and clinicians provide comprehensive services including day and residential programs, partner classrooms in public school systems, consulting services, and the ACE® ABA Software System (www.acenecc.org).
NECC is committed to creating an equitable workplace for our diverse team and providing industry-leading staff professional development opportunities, specifically with our on-campus graduate degree partnership programs. The result is a growing pool of autism educators and researchers that impact the lives of children with autism both at NECC and around the world. The New England Center for Children is based in Southborough, MA, and operates the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education in Abu Dhabi, UAE, as well as Clinics in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. Learn more at www.necc.org.
