Brooklyn Org Names Tim Simons Co-Chair of Board of Directors

Simons succeeds Nicole Gueron and joins Co-Chair Michael Gillespie in leading the organization’s 26-member Board

As Brooklyn Org begins a new fiscal year and continues to expand its impact across the borough, the organization today announced the appointment of Timothy “Tim” Simons as Co-Chair of its Board of Directors. Simons succeeds Nicole Gueron, who has served as Board Co-Chair since 2020, and will join fellow Co-Chair Michael Gillespie in leading the organization’s 26-member Board as Brooklyn Org continues to grow as a champion for Brooklyn and a national model for community philanthropy.

“Tim brings a remarkable combination of strategic vision, public policy expertise, and an enduring commitment to expanding opportunity for communities,” said Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO of Brooklyn Org. “As we build a new generation of Brooklyn givers and deepen investment in community-led solutions, Tim’s leadership will help ensure Brooklyn Org continues to inspire people to invest in the future of our borough.”

A Brooklyn native, Simons is the co-founder of Forethought Advisors, LLC, a government relations firm focused on housing finance and financial services policy. He is also the founder and principal of Simonsgroup Tax Advisory, a Washington, DC-based firm providing strategic tax planning and advisory services to business owners, high-income professionals, and real estate investors nationwide. Simons has more than two decades of experience in corporate and government relations, public policy, financial services, tax policy, and regulatory strategy, and has held leadership roles with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Weeksville Heritage Center, and the former Brooklyn Historical Society, now the Center for Brooklyn History. He joined Brooklyn Org’s Board of Directors in 2023.

Over his career, Simons has helped shape landmark legislation, advised organizations navigating complex policy environments, and led initiatives that expand economic opportunity and access to capital. He helped create the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, and later led the development of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco’s $100 million Quality Jobs Fund, launched in 2017, a donor-advised fund built to expand access to quality jobs in historically underserved communities.

“It is an honor to serve as Board Co-Chair of Brooklyn Org,” said Simons. “Brooklyn has always been a place where communities come together to solve problems, invest in one another, and create opportunity. Brooklyn Org is redefining what local philanthropy can be by equipping neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, and donors with the tools to build a stronger, more equitable borough. I look forward to working with Michael, Jocelynne, and the full Board to keep building this movement.

During Gueron’s tenure as Co-Chair, Brooklyn Org underwent extraordinary growth and transformation, including its evolution from Brooklyn Community Foundation to Brooklyn Org, the launch of a bold new strategic plan, and the expansion of innovative approaches to community philanthropy that have mobilized more resources for Brooklyn’s neighborhoods. Gueron will continue serving on the Board of Directors.

“Nicole’s leadership has helped shape one of the most significant chapters in Brooklyn Org’s history,” Rainey said. “Her steady guidance, unwavering commitment to Brooklyn, and belief in the power of community-led philanthropy have positioned our organization for continued growth and impact. We are deeply grateful for her service as Co-Chair and are thrilled to welcome Tim into this leadership role alongside Michael.”

“Nicole has been an extraordinary partner and leader, helping guide Brooklyn Org through a period of bold innovation and growth,” said Michael Gillespie, Board Co-Chair. “Her leadership has strengthened our governance and sharpened our focus on the future. I am excited to partner with Tim. I have had the pleasure of working with Tim over more than a decade in a number of his leadership roles for the Borough, and I am thrilled that Jocelynne and her team and our community partners we will have the benefit of his experience, integrity, and deep commitment to Brooklyn during these challenging years.”

Brooklyn Org’s Board of Directors provides strategic governance and oversight for the organization’s more than $150 million in assets under management, including nearly 200 donor advised funds, while helping guide programmatic investments that support Brooklyn nonprofits and strengthen communities across the borough. The Board works closely to execute on the strategic plan in partnership with Dr. Rainey and a staff of 20.