Helen Garity, a Newtonville resident with years of experience in the corporate world, has taken on the role of Executive Director at the nonprofit Hyde Community Center in Newton Highlands. Garity says she hopes to build on the Hyde’s strong foundation rather than to reinvent it.
She succeeds John Rice, who after 20 years leading the Hyde Community Center is now serving as Newton’s Chief Community Services Officer.
When the opportunity arose, Garity said it intrigued her. She was in the process of retiring from her corporate career and, as she put it, she realized there was only so much golf she could play.
“This was a good blend of giving back to the community, because the Hyde is such an integral part of the Newton Highlands community,” she said. “It just became a no-brainer for me in terms of the next career-path progression in my life.”
Experience
Garity said of her previous corporate life that the pressure of spending long days on Zoom calls had begun to wear on her.
“I like to be out and about,” she said. “I started thinking about stepping away, and then that’s what I did. I just said, ‘You know what, life’s too short’.”
Garity said her professional background includes years working in account management in the health care industry, as well as a stint in business development at New England–based athletic company New Balance. In that role, she helped connect retailers with medical providers, drawing on her experience in health care.
“It was an easy transition [to the Hyde] in that capacity, because it’s all relationship building,” she said.
Rice was not directly involved in the search committee that selected Garity, but he had the opportunity to meet her during the interview process. He said he was immediately struck by her.
“When you have a one person, one-employee community center, the executive director has to be multi-talented and flexible to go from item to item,” he said. “They also have to be dedicated to community programming at the same time as well as motivated to come up with the best things to bring people together. I think Helen fits perfectly in all those spots.”
Keeping the summer alive
She said her current main focus is preparing for Summer in the Highlands programming, which typically begins in June around Village Day.
A longtime Newtonville resident, Garity raised her children in Newton Public Schools, from Cabot Elementary to Newton North High School.
Garity said she used to bring her children to the Hyde’s Summer in the Highlands movie nights and concerts when they were young. Her family would often grab a pizza and spend the evening on the lawn. As her children got older, she attended less frequently, but she still enjoys seeing young families gather on Friday nights during the summer.
“You can come as an adult and just listen to the music, or you can come as a family to watch the movies,” she said. “It’s a nice blend.”
Rice said the Hyde’s Summer in the Highlands programming is in good hands under Garity’s leadership.
“She will balance keeping the tradition happening that we had at the Hyde for many years, but at the same time adding new ideas, new directions, and new feedback,” he said. “Having a different viewpoint is always good for any organization.”
Garity said she hopes to be as accessible as possible in this new role. Although she lives in Newtonville, she said she looks forward to getting to know more people in Newton Highlands.
“It will be nice to be more ingrained in this part of Newton,” she said.
Learning the ropes
Garity said she hopes to lean on Rice in the future for guidance on broader issues, such as working with the City, given his experience in both leading the Hyde and now once again serving in City government.
Rice still lives close to the Hyde and said he will remain accessible if Garity needs anything.
“I’ve said to Helen in the past, my office at City Hall is only a mile away from the Hyde so if there’s any issues that she’s dealing with. I’m not on the other side of the world. I can give her advice and everything else,” he said.
In his new role at City Hall, Rice said the Hyde continues to play an important role in community programming.
“The success of the Hyde is important for the whole city,” Rice said.
Rice emphasized that Garity is fortunate to have a strong board of directors by her side as well.
In a press release, Janice Bourque, President of the Board of the Hyde Community Center, expressed her support for Garity’s appointment.
“We are thrilled to have found Helen,” said Bourque. “With her deep understanding of the Newton community and her ability to foster strong relationships, she is perfectly equipped to build on the remarkable foundation laid by John Rice. Helen truly grasps the mission and leadership role of The Hyde, and we look forward to the future under her guidance.”
