North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena



Biography

Jennifer DeSena was elected the 38th Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead in November 2021, her first time holding elective office. Before seeking elective office, Supervisor DeSena was an attorney and a leader of nonprofit organizations supporting family health and safety.

During her legal career, Supervisor DeSena protected the public as an Enforcement Attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Prior to joining the SEC, she worked on complex insurance litigation.

Most recently, Supervisor DeSena has served as the Executive Director of the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse, educating and empowering parents to protect their families from the risks of alcohol and other drugs and unsupervised access to social media. Under her direction, the Student Athlete Leadership Team and Set Connect youth clubs were created to teach leadership and improve mental health in Manhasset High School. She collaborated with the school’s guidance department to teach warning signs of depression and suicidal ideation. She also partnered with the Chinese American Association of North Hempstead as it led efforts to warn local officials and community members about the risks of a medical marijuana facility moving to a highly visible location near schools and homes.

As a long-time civic association leader and member of the Greater Council of Manhasset Civic Associations, Supervisor DeSena was very familiar with the Town of North Hempstead’s governmental operations prior to seeking elective office.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Supervisor DeSena has worked with clergy, food pantries, and other community leaders to help North Hempstead’s most vulnerable residents. She promotes volunteerism as a way for adults and youth to improve their self-esteem and mental health. In addition, she has served as an officer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, in several ministries at St. Mary’s Church in Manhasset, and is a past Board member and General Counsel for the Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer.

The Town of North Hempstead recognized Supervisor DeSena’s service to the community in 2020 with her inclusion on the May Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor.

Supervisor DeSena is a graduate of Boston College and St. John’s University Law School. She resides in Manhasset with her husband, Ralph, sons Robert and Michael, now college students, and their dog, Sandy.