Worcester Business Journal

6 Worcester Business Journal | September 18, 2023 | wbjournal.com Taking the reins Aer 48 years with its founder as CEO, e New England Center for Children has a clinician as its new leader BY ISABEL TEHAN WBJ Staff Writer J essica Sassi thinks Vincent Strully, Jr. is a visionary. Stepping into his shoes as CEO of e New England Center for Children, which Strully founded and ran as CEO since 1975, is a massive undertaking for the clinician-turned-executive at the autism education and research nonprofit, but it's one Sassi was hand-picked and prepared for. When Sassi officially took over as CEO at the end of August, it was aer completion of a three-year succession plan and more than 10 years at NECC under her belt. While she began her career at NECC as a clinician, she climbed the ranks of more and more senior administrative roles, becoming the clinical director along the way. Running a massive organization requires business chops, but NECC values the clinical experience, too, as it's the root of all work at the organization. "It was always more than just a business role," Strully said of the CEO position. Sassi became the executive director of NECC's Southborough campus, the flagship institution, aer earning her Ph.D. in behavior analysis from the University of Florida. A clinician by training and at heart, her goal is to position NECC to solve the educational challenges in the autism education world, she said. "I am a diehard behavior analyst," she said. NECC makes use of applied behavioral analysis at its Southborough campus, in its research, academic programs, and beyond. e method recognizes each individual student with autism has individual needs, and educators must tailor their approaches, said Rocío Rosales, associate professor and program coordinator for applied behavior analysis and autism studies at UMass Lowell. "Behavioral analysis leads us to be able to come up with a treatment plan to address what the behavior looks like and why it is happening," said Rosales. Different behaviors serve different functions for different individuals with autism. Using behavioral analysis as an approach requires regular reevaluation. "e approaches we take are constantly changing," said Rosales. Rocio Rosales, associate professor and program coordinator for applied behavior analysis and autism studies at UMass Lowell Jessica Sassi is a former NECC clinician who climbed the ranks to the top leadership spot at the international nonprofit. PHOTO | CHRISTINE PETERSON PHOTO | COURTESY OF UMASS LOWELL

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