Joanne Thomson

Joanne Thomson, President and CEO of Benevilla, developed a deep commitment and passion for charitable work in the nonprofit field early in her career and grew committed to helping people who have: intellectual and cognitive disabilities, dementia, survived a stroke, mental illness, and Parkinson’s Disease. Thoughtful in her leadership style, she strives to enrich the lives of community members and makes positive changes in how they care for their loved ones. Through her guidance Benevilla’s programs and services have thrived. The number of persons served throughout the years has been on the rise.

She is an Aging Services CARF Surveyor and travels around the U.S.A. and Canada to assess other aging service providers’ best practices. She is Co-Chair of the Dementia Caregiver Alliance, Dementia Friends Champion, and a Leadership West Class XXVI Alumni. Joanne also previously served as a Board Member for Northwest Valley Connect and an Honorary Commander for Luke Airforce Base.

Joanne Thomson was born and grew up in Reno, Nevada and attended California State University, Chico where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Administration with the option of Therapeutic Recreation in 1999. She was awarded top recreation therapy student of the graduating class.

Joanne, the Benevilla Board of Directors, and the Executive Leadership team have a deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life in their community and plan to lead the organization to meet the needs of the Baby Boomer generation and help them age in place gracefully.