NEADS Announces Needham Resident Aubrey Henderson as New CEO

Thanks to NEADS World Class Service Dogs for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

Princeton, MA – Needham resident Aubrey Henderson will be the new chief executive officer of NEADS World Class Service Dogs on January 1, 2025, announced the organization on October 15th. Henderson has experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors, at Unilver and Proctor & Gamble, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and most recently serving as the Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts.

"During her tenure at Cradles to Crayons, Henderson led the organization through a period of significant growth and transformation. She expanded their budget, oversaw a move to a larger facility that nearly doubled their capacity, and fostered a positive team culture through open communication and collaboration," says NEADS in a press release. 

As CEO, Ms. Henderson will head up growth of NEADS, which plans to build and open a new Veterinary Clinic and Early Learning Center on  its campus.

Photo courtesy of NEADS World Class Service Dogs. Needham resident Aubrey Henderson will be the new chief executive officer of NEADS on January 1, 2025.

A lifelong dog lover, Henderson is passionate about the mission of NEADS. "I am thrilled to join a non-profit with a mission as compelling as NEADS,” said Henderson. "I look forward to working with the dedicated staff, volunteers, and clients to continue NEADS' legacy of providing life-changing service dogs."

“We knew that finding a new leader for NEADS was going to be a challenge,” said Geoff Worrell, NEADS Board Chairman. “Continuing our mission of providing World Class Service Dogs to the individuals who need them requires a visionary leader who has a diverse skillset. After a nationwide search, we are delighted that Aubrey Henderson will lead NEADS as our CEO. Aubrey’s extensive leadership experience in both the for profit and not-for-profit worlds will result in advancing our mission.”

NEADS Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Princeton, Massachusetts, which breeds, raises, and trains service dogs. NEADS Assistance Dogs are partnered with professionals in classroom, therapy, hospital, ministry, and courthouse settings.