NewVue Names Gonzalo Puigbo as New Executive Director

The NewVue Communities’ Board of Directors is proud to announce that Gonzalo Puigbo has been named Executive Director of the Fitchburg-based non-profit community development corporation, effective Sept. 8, 2026.

Puigbo, a Natick resident, has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) since 2020 and has more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry.

In both his professional and personal life, Puigbo has been a fierce advocate for the needs of low-income individuals and families by championing causes promoting social and financial equity.

“Gonzalo brings a wealth of community development experience to NewVue,” said Christina DiRusso, President of the NewVue Board of Directors. “We are excited to add his energy and passion to our work creating strong and healthy neighborhoods in North Central Massachusetts.”

A fluent Spanish speaker, Puigbo describes himself as a “servant leader,’’ a leadership style in which he focuses primarily on the needs and well-being of people and communities in which they belong. He said he is excited to bring his skills and experience to NewVue and North Central Massachusetts.

“God has blessed me with the opportunity to serve as the next Executive Director of NewVue Communities. I am thankful that the Board of Directors, the staff, and our community have given me a chance to build on the strength of the work that has already been accomplished,’ Puigbo said. “Together, we will envision and work towards a place of diversity, equity, inclusivity and justice that supports all of the community members who have built this amazing region.”

Prior to SCC, Puigbo worked at People’s United Bank as the Vice President, Community Reinvestment Act & Community Development Officer for Northern New England. In this role, he was exposed to challenges facing local low-income households and worked to help them achieve financial independence through homeownership, workforce development, financial education, community organizing and leadership initiatives.

Leading by example, Puigbo has embraced community activism by volunteering with several non-profit organizations. He serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations, and the Partnership for Financial Equity, a group dedicated to closing racial wealth gaps and improving the financial futures of low- and moderate-income households.

He is the former Board Chair for Compass Working Capital, an organization that works to end asset poverty for families with low incomes and narrow the racial and gender wealth divides. Puigbo is also a former Board Member and Vice Chair of Amplify Latinx, a non-partisan, collaborative non-profit whose mission it is to advance Latine prosperity and leadership representation in Massachusetts.

Puigbo received his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree from Framingham State University. In 2012, he received the Alumni Achievement Award for his outstanding work in the community.

Timothy Johnstone served as Interim Executive Director while the board conducted an extensive search for a new leader. The Board is grateful for Johnstone’s steady hand during this transition.

“NewVue has more than doubled its impact over the past five years and has plans to continue to bring resources into the region,” DiRusso said. “We are very fortunate to have someone with Gonzalo’s leadership skills to guide our experienced team.”

NewVue Communities welcomes the community to meet Puigbo on Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the NewVue offices, 470 Main St., Fitchburg.

About NewVue Communities: NewVue Communities is a nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to creating strong and healthy neighborhoods where residents choose to live, work, and invest. NewVue Communities is dedicated to serving 240,000 residents of North Central Massachusetts, a region of 22 municipalities stretching from Harvard to Athol. We strategically use a five-pronged approach to strengthen communities and fuel economic and social progress through homeownership, small business development, housing development, asset management, and community organizing.