Willie Ross School for the Deaf Announces Mary-Anne Stearns as New Trustee
LONGMEADOW — Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) announced that Mary-Anne Stearns, CPA has joined the school’s board of trustees. A partner at Whittlesey since 2014, with more than 35 years of experience in public accounting, she has served on the school’s audit committee for several years.
Stearns is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, 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, cum laude, in business administration with a concentration in accounting from UMass Amherst.
“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,” Stearns said. “I hope to provide input on the future direction and the long-term financial stability of the school.”
“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,” said Bert Carter, president and CEO of WRSD. “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.”
The Willie Ross board of trustees 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.