About Us

Mission Statement

The Needham Observer is a free, independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) news service founded and operated by a volunteer group of journalists and engaged community members.

Our mission is to provide timely information, interesting features and a variety of perspectives that represent the breadth of our community. Our vision is to reflect Needham back to itself in a way that fosters and expands connections across all segments of town. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging in what we cover, and in how and with whom we work.

Leadership

Peter O’Neil, Executive Editor
A former reporter for the Westfield Evening News and the Malden Evening News before working in communications positions for UMass and the Department of Environmental Management and as senior researcher with an institutional investment firm. Peter is a 30-year resident and past chair of the Needham SEPAC.

Frederica Lalonde, Managing Editor
A former writer/editor for several specialized magazines and newspapers before focusing on her role as mother to five sons in the Needham schools, Fred is a 19-year resident and active volunteer for school and town organizations.

Jeanne Hopkins, Executive Director
A former radio reporter, public information director for UMass/Amherst and VP of Communications & Government Relations for public media producer (W)GBH, Jeanne is 30-year resident and former member of the Charles River Y Board of Advisors.

Seth Bauer, Editor and Senior Director
Seth was the editor in chief of national wellness and sustainability magazines for companies including National Geographic (where he was VP), Reader’s Digest, and Martha Stewart Living. He also led organizations in the energy efficiency and corporate wellness worlds. A Needham resident since 1992, he’s a former co-president of the NEF and was a longtime member of the Needham Traffic Committee.

Observer Team

Jen Bello, Copy Editor
Keith LaFace, Director of Technology
Kay Matipa, Reporter
David Vergara, Art Director

Georgina Arrieta-Ruetenik, Contributing photographer
Nick King, Editorial Advisor

Contributors

Bob Baker is a retired educator and curriculum writer
Daniel Barbarisi is a senior editor at The Athletic and a non-fiction author
Linda Polach is an award-winning broadcast producer and content creator

Board of Directors

The Needham Observer is a 501(c)(3) organization guided by a Board of Directors comprised of Needham residents:

Robert A. Bertsche is a media and First Amendment lawyer with the Boston office of Klaris Law PLLC. A former newspaper and magazine editor, he is general counsel to the New England Newspaper and Press Association. He has lived in Needham with his wife Lynn (and two sons who have flown the coop) since 1991.  

Mark Maremont is a longtime Needham resident and a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist. He currently serves as a Senior Editor at The Wall Street Journal, where he writes about business, finance and politics. He and his wife Emily have three daughters who are proud graduates of Needham High.  

Zeenat Rasheed is a nonprofit management consultant and former marketing executive with a background in developing media, marketing and digital strategy for major brands including CVS Health, Liberty Mutual, General Motors, Disney Theme Parks and U.S. Army. An active member of the Needham Resilience Network and Needham Muslim Neighbors, she and her husband are Needham residents and have two children.

Femi Allen Wasserman is an independent, full-service start-up consultant and angel investor. She formerly served as VP of Communications for DraftKings Inc., leading the company’s public relations efforts through its growth from inception to becoming the largest daily fantasy sports provider in the industry. She is a mother of five and she and her husband reside in Needham. She is a volunteer board member for Plugged-In Band. 

Editorial Policy

The Needham Observer subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News:

The Needham Observer retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and all sources of revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions. Our news decisions are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.

The Needham Observer may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains complete editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

Corrections and Clarifications

The Needham Observer strives for accuracy, but in the event of a factual error or incomplete context, the Needham Observer will correct or clarify a story and note that such a correction or clarification has been added to the original article.

Donor and Financial Policy

The Needham Observer is committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization. Accepting financial support does not mean we endorse donors or their products, services or opinions.

We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals, organizations and foundations to help with our general operations and news coverage. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a public trust, we do not pay certain taxes. We may receive funds from standard government programs offered to nonprofits or similar businesses.

Our news judgments are made independently – not based on or influenced by donors or any revenue source. We do not give supporters the rights to assign, review or edit content.

We do not accept donations from government entities, political parties or declared candidates for public office at the time of their donation. We will not accept donations from sources who, deemed by our board of directors, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence. We will make public all revenue sources and donors who give $5,000 or more per year.

We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards.

Conflict of Interest

Any potential conflict of interest by a Director, staff member or freelance contributor must be immediately disclosed to the Board of Directors, who shall promptly determine the appropriate course of action. Conflicts of interest include any financial relationship between the subject of any news article or editorial and a member of the Board of Directors or staff.

The Observer may not engage in activities that benefit or are perceived to benefit the private interest of a member of the Board of Directors or employee. Each Director and staff member must give undivided allegiance when making decisions affecting the organization and are not permitted to act in a way that is inconsistent with the purposes of the organization and its nonprofit status.

The Board of Directors will be responsible for determining whether any activities are in violation of its policies and what actions must be taken to remedy any discrepancies or violations.

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Terms of Use Policy

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Donor Recognition

The Needham Observer is grateful for the generosity of founding benefactor David E. Long.