The People Behind Simon
Simon is a digital platform for caregivers and people living with dementia. Inspired by personal experiences, Simon allows caregivers to monitor the well-being of their loved ones via geo tracking and calendar functions, while providing a grounding place for people who have dementia. But beyond simple care management, Simon takes the next step by deploying nudge technology, via location-based push notifications, to guide people with dementia towards more autonomy.
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The aging global population is the largest generation of adults to ever age into retirement. They bring with them decades of digital literacy, and a strong sense of independence. People with dementia are living longer lives, and there are more and more diagnoses every year. Care is expensive and labor intensive. Simon acts as a force multiplier in dementia care for caregivers and for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
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We also see applications for Simon beyond dementia. This type of nudge technology can be applied to a large swath of the population. Over 25% of seniors will suffer from mild cognitive impairment. Around one quarter of the United States suffer from cognitive impairments of some sort, from developmental diseases to learning disabilities. Nudge technology and an interactive care management platform can increase autonomy while decreasing pain and stress for both patients and caretakers.
Daniel Brown
Founder & CEO
Danny Brown is the CEO of Simon. He began his career as a community organizer and Peace Corps volunteer, and Simon grew out of his own experience helping his wife and mother-in-law navigate living alone with dementia. That experience shaped his belief that people living with dementia and the families caring for them deserve more dignity, connection, and practical support. He studied Cognitive Science at Tulane, earned his master’s at Oxford, and is a proud Cleveland native and dad to Isaac.
Simon Morgan
Founder & CFO
Simon is a health policy researcher who has spent more than a decade consulting on US healthcare payment and access issues. He co-founded Simon to help ensure people living with dementia can continue doing what they love with the right support around them. His work is grounded in a belief that care should feel seamless, not complicated. Outside of work, he splits his time between hiking trails and city streets.
Mare Ruland
Marketing Coordinator
Mare works across marketing and social media at Simon. A former nurse and dementia activity director, she brings hands-on caregiving experience along with more than a decade of work in social strategy and brand development. Having supported both of her grandmothers through dementia, her work is deeply personal. Outside of work, she volunteers with human rights organizations and spends time with her two teenagers and her dog, Luna.
Rachel Whyte
Founder & Chief Clinical Officer
Rachel is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and emergency department nurse with years of experience in high-acuity settings. She first met Danny while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo and later reconnected with him and Simon around their vision for better dementia support. She joined the team bringing both her clinical background and personal experience caring for her grandmother who lived with Alzheimer’s. Outside of work, she enjoys time in the redwoods and long dinners with family and friends.
Jon Hudson
CTO
Jon leads technology at Simon. He joined the team after his grandmother was diagnosed with dementia in 2015, an experience that shaped how he thinks about care and connection. For him, technology is not just about systems but about making life easier for families navigating something hard. When he is not keeping things running smoothly, you will likely find him on the golf course or building LEGO cars piece by piece.