HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change), a domestic violence agency serving 23 communities on Massachusetts’ North Shore, is pleased to announce the hiring of Anthony DiPietro, of Providence, RI as its new Executive Director. DiPietro comes to HAWC with more than 10 years of nonprofit experience in operations, finance, human resources, communications, and project management including serving three years as the Chief Operating Officer for the Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence in Providence.
Stephen Feron, President of the Board of Directors of HAWC said, “During the interviews with Anthony, I realized that his strong sense of humanity and deep empathy for others aligns perfectly with HAWC’s mission. The search committee was also very impressed with Anthony’s poise, honesty, and vision for a safer world. Those characteristics, combined with his experience in the nonviolence service sector and his non-profit management skills made him the ideal candidate to lead HAWC on the next stage of its journey.”
DiPietro said of his appointment, “HAWC’s mission of helping individuals and families to heal speaks to me as someone who worked in nonviolence previously. HAWC’s 35 year history of providing domestic abuse services and prevention is impressive. I anticipate building on that strong foundation to design a future for HAWC that is sustainable, honors the comprehensiveness of its programs and the needs of the communities HAWC serves, and has a measurable impact on the lives of North Shore families.”
DiPietro said his work at the Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence, which teaches Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophy of nonviolence, included gang intervention, reentry services, victim services, and other innovative programs. He noted that domestic violence affects people of all races, ethnicities, genders, religions and classes, and in a variety of ways. It affects their physical safety, psychological health, financial stability, and more. Further he added that witnessing violence can affect a child’s development and future relationships for a lifetime.
“HAWC’s programs reflect the reality of the causes of violence, the possible solutions, and the complex effects,” said DiPietro. “Having worked in agencies that provided counseling and case management, as well as housing, financial capability, GEDs, workforce training and the like, I expect to bring a broad perspective to how we can best serve the victims of violence, and best partner with other agencies on the North Shore that are in a position to help our clients.”
HAWC’s search for a new executive director began in November 2012 after long-time director Candace Waldron announced her retirement. HAWC enlisted the help of Third Sector New England which assists with executive transitions, and hired an interim director to manage the organization until a full-time director could be named. The process consisted of open dialog meetings with HAWC stakeholders (board members, community members, partners and donors) and group meetings with staff to get a comprehensive assessment of where the agency is and what was needed to go forward. Their efforts resulted in a job description that was used to solicit candidates. After several rounds of interviews with both the search committee and staff, DiPietro was selected from among a pool of more than 50 applicants.
DiPietro most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation in Providence, RI. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Brown University, Providence RI in 2004. He anticipates moving to the North Shore area this fall. DiPietro stated, “Based on the time I’ve spent in the North Shore, its residents enjoy a high quality of life. However, like the Rhode Island communities where I’ve lived and worked, individuals and families are affected by a host of related issues that impact their well-being. It’s important to me to make positive contributions to my community, and I’m confident that, through my work at HAWC, I will be doing this every day.”
DiPietro begins work with HAWC on October 21st, two days before its annual Working to Heal Breakfast at the Peabody Marriott on October 23rd.