Willie Ross School for the Deaf Announces New Trustee, Mary-Anne Stearns
Longmeadow—Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) has announced that Mary-Anne Stearns, CPA, has joined the school’s Board of Trustees. Stearns is a Partner at Whittlesey PC and has also served on the school’s audit committee for several years.
A resident of East Longmeadow, Stearns has more than 35 years of experience in public accounting and has been a partner at Whittlesey PC since 2014.
In addition to serving on the audit committee for WRSD, Stearns is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA); and is a finance and audit committee member for the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. She has also been involved with The Loomis Communities for many years and currently serves on the finance and audit committee, and is a past board member for the organization.
Stearns is also a past board member and treasurer of the Greater Springfield Chapter of CISV, Inc., an international nonprofit organization. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Cum Laude.
According to Stearns, “When I was asked if I might like to be considered for a term on the Board, I felt it would be a great opportunity to learn more about the school’s future strategic plans. I hope to provide input on the future direction and the long-term financial stability of the school.”
The Willie Ross Board of Trustees has also recently appointed two board members to its Executive Committee in at-large positions. Lucie Lewis and Claire Sanders are new to the Board in the past year. Lewis is an adjunct professor at various local colleges and is also an author. Sanders is the chair of the deaf studies program at Holyoke Community College.
According to Bert Carter, President and CEO of WRSD, “Mary-Anne has been a community representative on our finance committee for several years and brings with her a wealth of knowledge on financial dealings and business. Over the past few years we’ve made a concerted effort to diversify our board, specifically with more women, people of color and deaf trustees.”
Willie Ross School for the Deaf provides a comprehensive educational program stressing academic excellence that focuses on the development of students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth from the early childhood level through high school. Willie Ross serves students at its main campus in Longmeadow and at its partnership campus located in the East Longmeadow Public Schools. Mainstreaming opportunities are provided at the partnership campus.