Greetings!

After an extensive, six-month search for a new CEO, on behalf on the Board I am pleased and very excited to announce that David A. Fleishman has been chosen as our new CEO. David comes to JVS Boston after serving 12 years as the Superintendent of Schools for the City of Newton.
David’s entire career has been devoted to supporting children and families from all walks of life. We feel that the experience that David brings from his years working as a leader in education will enhance JVS's position as a leading institution in workforce development in Boston - a top priority for all of us.   

As you may know, the search process was led by a succession committee and an executive search firm – DRG. This group took the time to seek guidance on the attributes necessary for the new CEO, as well as to gather thoughts on a vision for our organization moving forward. They worked diligently to gather input from a range of stakeholders, including our Board, and perspectives from staff and other members of the JVS community. After considering more than 200 potential candidates, the committee recommended David to the Board.  

It was clear from our first meeting with David that his passion lies in developing, supporting, and amplifying innovative programs and services to address issues of equity and social justice. As a public school leader, he sought to lift all learners and their families to ensure that they had the support and skills to succeed. His commitment to supporting all students, whether English learners, students with disabilities, or families in need has been a hallmark of his career.

A strength of JVS has always been building strong and cohesive teams. David has a record of managing strong teams and developing them by recruiting and retaining leaders from diverse backgrounds. His creation of a department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Newton Public Schools is viewed as a model in the state.

We are so excited that David will be joining JVS. As you know David succeeds our longtime CEO Jerry Rubin. This fall, Jerry will be joining the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School as a visiting fellow with the Center’s Project on Workforce. We are grateful for his service to JVS and wish him well.

David will begin his new role later this spring. We will be introducing him to members of our community in the months ahead.

Regards,
Joe Zeff