Thomas J. DeSimone Named Board Chair-Elect of Hebrew SeniorLife

Hebrew SeniorLife has named Thomas J. DeSimone board chair-elect. DeSimone is a partner at W/S Development Associates LLC in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. 

He will succeed current Board Chair Richard J. Henken when his term ends in 2027. Henken has been a valuable volunteer leader at Hebrew SeniorLife for more than 15 years. In addition to serving on the board, Henken has served as chair of the Senior Living Committee and also serves on the Governance and Real Estate Committees. 

“With Tom’s longstanding commitment to Hebrew SeniorLife and deep expertise across our full range of services, I can think of no one better suited to lead this organization as we continue to embrace the many opportunities ahead and redefine what it means to age well. I look forward to partnering with him as we continue advancing Hebrew SeniorLife’s mission,” said Henken.

“I’ve dedicated much of my volunteer work to organizations focused on the human experience across all stages of life. Aging is something we all share, and the ways we understand and approach it continue to evolve in remarkable ways. At this stage in my own life, I can think of no more meaningful way to give back than by serving an organization like Hebrew SeniorLife, which is leading the way in redefining what aging can look like,” said Thomas J. DeSimone.

“I am deeply grateful for the leadership and dedication that both Richard Henken and Tom DeSimone bring to our organization and mission. Their passion, vision, and unwavering commitment to redefining aging have helped position Hebrew SeniorLife at the forefront of innovation and care for older adults. I look forward to working alongside them as we continue building on this momentum and advancing our mission in meaningful and transformative ways,” said Hebrew SeniorLife President and CEO Adam Scott.

About Thomas J. DeSimone 
DeSimone is a partner in W/S Development Associates LLC, a real estate development and management company. As such, he is involved in management performance, leasing, development, project finance, marketing, and public relations. He has been with the company and its affiliates for over 30 years. 

Prior to joining the company, DeSimone served as vice president in the Real Estate Production Group of The Boston Real Estate Counsel, Inc., a subsidiary of The Boston Company. He joined the company to assist in establishing an asset management function and later served as the chairman of The Real Estate Counsel’s Strategic Planning Committee. 

DeSimone graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics. He earned his Master of Science in accounting from the Northeastern Graduate School of Professional Accounting. In addition to his diverse duties at the companies, he is active in the New England business community. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Urban Land Institute, and serves on the board of NAIOP Massachusetts. 

His community activities include serving on the Board of Directors of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, as co-chair of the hospital’s $1.2 billion capital campaign, and as a member of the board of Hebrew SeniorLife. In the past, he has served as president of NAIOP Massachusetts, treasurer and board member of Greater Boston Legal Services, board member and chairman of St. John’s Preparatory School, board member and treasurer of Community Resources for Justice in Boston, and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. 

Business Career 
DeSimone is a partner in W/S Development Associates LLC, a real estate development and management company. He has been with the company and its affiliates for over 30 years. 

Prior to joining the company, DeSimone served as vice president in the Real Estate Production Group of The Boston Real Estate Counsel, Inc., a subsidiary of The Boston Company. He joined the company to assist in establishing an asset management function and later served as the chairman of The Real Estate Counsel’s Strategic Planning Committee. 

Education and Community Activities
DeSimone graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics. He earned his Master of Science in accounting from the Northeastern Graduate School of Professional Accounting. In addition to his diverse duties at the companies, he is active in the New England business community. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Urban Land Institute, and a board member of NAIOP Massachusetts. 

His community activities include serving on the Board of Directors of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, as co-chair of the hospital’s $1.2 billion capital campaign, and as a member of the board of Hebrew SeniorLife. In the past, he has served as president of NAIOP Massachusetts, treasurer and board member of Greater Boston Legal Services, board member and chairman of St. John’s Preparatory School, board member and treasurer of Community Resources for Justice in Boston, and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. 

He is a resident of Fort Myers, Florida.

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife is a national leader working to create a world where aging is defined by possibility, not limitation. We care for more than 4,500 older adults each day across seven campuses throughout Greater Boston, and offer support for families in the aging journey. Our services include in-home care, outpatient therapies, an outpatient memory clinic, short- and long-term inpatient care, hospice, independent and assisted living, and affordable housing with services. We conduct influential research on aging at our Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which has a grant portfolio of $87 million, and train future health care workers at the Lunder CareForce Institute. Hebrew SeniorLife is a Harvard Medical School affiliate. Follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.