Champion of people with intellectual disabilities Jo Ann Simons ’75 ranked as Boston’s most powerful The Boston Business Journal has recognized Jo Ann Simons ’75 as one of the 50 most powerful businesspeople in Boston— thanks to her work helping thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities as CEO of Northeast Arc. “It’s always an honor to be recognized for your work, but it’s especially exciting that the Boston Business Journal acknowledges that the work of nonprofits is essential to the well-being of our communities,” said Simons, who joined Northeast Arc, based in
Danvers, Mass., in January 2016. As CEO, she oversees a $250 million budget and 1,000 employees that provide services and support to 8,000 individuals with disabilities and their families. “I am really proud that while I inherited a small deficit budget, we turned things around in less than six months and we continue to trend positively,” she said. Simons received her bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Wheaton and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut.
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She originally planned to pursue a career helping women, but that changed course when her son, Jonathan, was born with Down syndrome. Realizing the lack of services geared toward families of developmental disabilities, she devoted her career to nonprofit work to fill in these gaps. As a recognized leader in the field, Governor Charlie Baker appointed her to the Governor’s Commission on Intellectual Disability, which examines the quality and comprehensiveness of the state’s program of services for
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people with intellectual disability. As for her son, Jonathan, he is thriving. He lives in his own home on the Cape—getting the support he needs—working at New Seabury Country Club and Roche Brothers. “He enjoys travel with us as a family and with his own friends. He still competes in Special Olympics golf, basketball, soccer and track and field and enjoys his role as a golfer for Best Buddies in their fundraising events,” Simons said. —Laura Pedulli
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