Jo Ann Simons Named Next CEO of Northeast Arc

The Northeast Arc, a not-for-profit organization that helps children and adults with disabilities become full participants in the community, has named Jo Ann Simons, MSW, as its next Chief Executive Officer. Simons begins her new role on January 4th.

Simons, who lives in Swampscott, comes to the Northeast Arc from Cardinal Cushing Centers, where she has served as President & CEO since 2008. This is a return to the Northeast Arc for Simons who early in her career served as the organization’s Director of the Community Division and Director of Family Educational Services. During this time, Simons started the first Family Support Program in the state and one of the first in the country.

Simons has had a successful career working with a variety of agencies focused on serving people with developmental disabilities. After her first stint at the Northeast Arc, Simons went on to serve as the Director of Policy for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, The Deputy Facility Director of the Fernald Development Center, and Executive Director of the Arc of East Middlesex before leading Cardinal Cushing Centers in their master plan to create intergenerational communities on both the Hanover and Braintree campuses.

“Finding the next CEO to lead the Northeast Arc was a critical priority for the board of directors, staff, and individuals and families we serve,” said Don Fournier, President of the Board. “Jo Ann has had a highly-regarded career leading non-profits dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and we are thrilled that she has accepted our invitation to be part of shaping the future of Northeast Arc,” said Fournier.

Simons currently serves as the disability advisor to the Ruderman Family Foundation and as a Trustee of LIFE, Inc. of Cape Cod. She is a past chair of the National Down Syndrome Society, past president of the National Down Syndrome Congress, and a consultant to Special Olympics. Simons is the author of the Down Syndrome Transition Handbook, and Footprints for the Future. She also contributed chapters to the books, Babies with Down Syndrome and Treating the Dental Patient with a Developmental Disorder.

“This is a great opportunity for me to return to an extraordinary organization where I worked in the early part of my professional and personal journey,” said Jo Ann Simons. “The Northeast Arc has grown to become the second largest Arc in the country and I look forward to helping build on the incredible accomplishments they have made over the last 61 years.”

Simons has two adult children: Jonathan, who has Down syndrome and lives independently in his own home and has a life filled with meaningful paid work, important volunteer activities, and many leisure pursuits. Emily is a litigator with Ropes and Gray.

Simons received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Wheaton College and a Masters of Social Work degree in Policy, Planning, and Community Organization from the University of Connecticut.

Simons succeeds Jerry McCarthy, who announced earlier this year that he would be retiring as CEO after thirty-six years in the role.