Shaitia Spruell, a proud Black and Puerto Rican woman from Springfield, MA, now residing in Lancaster, serves as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). In this capacity, she leads efforts to advance equity for women and girls across the state, working with State Commissioners to set and achieve goals that promote fundamental rights and opportunities for all. 

Her work is crucial in building a stronger, more connected community and empowering women to become strong leaders. Shaitia is dedicated to developing and supporting impactful programs such as Commonwealth Heroines and the Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative (GELI), which provide opportunities for females who share her background to thrive. 

In recognition of her contributions, Shaitia was nominated for the Latino Excellence Award by Senator John Cronin in October 2024. This annual award, hosted by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC), honors leaders making significant contributions to their communities. Shaitia’s dedication to uplifting the Latinx community and empowering women and girls earned her this esteemed recognition. 

Before joining MCSW, Shaitia served as a State Commissioner appointed by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and worked as a Program Manager for the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE). There, she created several initiatives such as Money Talk Tuesdays, the EqualPayMA Roundtable Series, and the Worth & Wealth (Valor y Dinero) Seminars. Additionally, she is an active member of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, focusing on economic justice and education. Shaitia is passionate about lifelong learning and has built an excellent reputation advocating for women and girls. 

Shaitia holds an A.A. from Holyoke Community College, a B.S. from Bay Path University, and is currently pursuing her MBA at Fitchburg State University. In her personal life, she enjoys spending quality time with her partner and two sons, Aaden and Lorenzo, as well as indulging in couponing and watching movies together as a family.