Jo Ann Simons has over 40 years of experience in the intellectual and developmental disabilities field. Her progressive initiatives have included the creation of the ArcTank to fund almost two million dollars in innovative ideas to positively disrupt disability services, closing segregated settings and transitioning the focus to community job placement, innovative school to work programs, inclusive community living, and creating new environments to serve people using retail malls. Jo Ann was named the CEO of the Northeast Arc in January 2016. The Northeast Arc has approximately 1,100 employees and positively impacts the lives of more than 10,000 individuals in 280 communities across Massachusetts and named a Top Place to Work and DEI Champion by The Boston Globe. Currently a member of the Governor’s Commission on Persons with I/DD and the Autism Commission, Jo Ann also served on Governor Maura Healey’s and Charlie Baker’s Transition Committee on Health Care. Also, she serves on the Point32 Health Plan Foundation Board. She is the original author of the Down Syndrome Transition Handbook In addition she created Footprints for the Future, a personal planning tool that provides a place for families and professionals to record specific and personal information as part of their future and estate planning. Jo Ann is also the mother of Jon, an independent man with Down syndrome.