Ellen Newton Joins Purpose Built Communities as New Chief Financial Officer

Purpose Built Communities announces Ellen Newton as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Newton brings more than 20 years of experience to the organization committed to greater racial equity as it relates to mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education, community wellness and economic vitality.

In her role, Newton will develop and implement the overall financial strategy and be responsible for the organization’s financial stewardship.

“We’re excited to have Ellen join our team. She has a proven record of success in the non-profit field. We know that she will help drive informed decision-making through sound financial management,” said Carol R. Naughton, CEO, Purpose Built Communities. “Not only will she be able to leverage our successes, but she will also set forth a vision for advancing our mission of improving racial equity, by aligning financial systems and practices in support of our strategic plan.”

Newton previously served as the Chief Financial Officer at Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL), where she led the organization’s finance and information technology departments. She began her career with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from Georgia Tech and spent several years with AT&T as a Capacity Planner/Manager. She then pursued a Master’s from Kennesaw State in Accountancy and obtained her CPA license in 2007. She started her accounting career as an auditor and moved into nonprofit accounting as the Accounting Manager for the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2009.