The Fig City News Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Bruce Henderson as the Editor of Fig City News, a free, online community news hub for Newton, Massachusetts. Founded and managed by resident volunteers, Fig City News aims to serve as a knowledgeable, fair, and trusted source of local news and community events.
Henderson was named Editor on March 9 after serving informally in that role since co-founding Fig City News with Amy Sangiolo a year ago. Since June 22, 2022, Fig City News has published 85 issues — Monday newsletters covering local government and Wednesday newsletters covering local news and community announcements.
Much of FCN’s format, organization, style, and use of technology grew out of Henderson’s experience helping PTOs and other nonprofits manage communications with their constituencies. Eight of Newton’s 22 PTOs have used the web/email system Henderson developed for Zervas, Oak Hill, and Newton South communities. He served as PTO co-president at Zervas and Oak Hill and managed PTSO communications at Newton South.
Henderson is founder and editor of NewtonSTEM, which since 2011 has provided Newton parents, students, and STEM professionals with a free weekly newsletter of information to develop students’ interests and abilities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. With the Newton Free Library, NewtonSTEM has created a series of STEM career exploration events for students in Grades 6-12 to meet informally with local STEM professionals.
For over thirty years, Henderson has headed a consulting firm helping software companies develop business in Japan and providing custom research reports for large corporations in Japan. Over these years, he has directed over 350 custom research projects, recruited and managed all researchers, and edited all reports.
Henderson is chair of the board of Commonwealth Land Trust, having served on its board since 2014. CLT provides affordable, supportive housing in Boston and Lawrence to formerly homeless individuals facing challenges such as addiction, mental illness, disabling conditions, or former incarceration.
From 2007 to 2015, Henderson served on the Newton Community Education Commission and, as chair, managed the successful search for a new Executive Director.
Commenting on Henderson’s appointment, Amy Sangiolo, President and Board Chair of Fig City News, said, “I am thrilled that the Board voted to appoint Bruce Henderson as our Editor. Bruce has been involved with the City, sharing his knowledge, skills, love, and commitment to serving the city of Newton and the Newton public schools for decades. He has a keen sense of the issues our residents care about and how to share that information with the public.”
Henderson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives in Newton Highlands with his wife, Fran.