Meet New Board Chair David Wisehaupt

April 15, 2022

David Wisehaupt, Managing Director, Wisehaupt, Bray Asset Management / Hightower, was recently elected chair of Palm Health Foundation’s board of trustees. Dave has served on the board for seven years, giving of his time and resources to better the health of Palm Beach County residents. We caught up with Dave to ask him about his experience as a trustee and vision as our new leader.



Q: How did you first get involved with Palm Health Foundation?

 

A:  It was a way of giving back and trying to help others. Philippe Jeck, former chair of the foundation, and I have been friends for over 35 years. He was moving into a leadership role and asked me to get to know about Palm Health Foundation. It was a step-by-step process. I was first asked to become a member of the finance committee, then the board of trustees. I eventually chaired the finance committee and now I chair the board of trustees.



Q: What impact do you hope to make as chair?


A: It has been tremendous that this foundation has grown over time to more than $90+ million in assets and has given more than $89 million to improve health outcomes in Palm Beach County. What I hope to do is help grow the foundation further, for the sake of those people we get to help now and in the future. There is always going to be more help needed tomorrow than is needed today. I’m a real believer in planting trees that we will never get to sit under and enjoy the shade. We need to plant those trees and grow the organization, and as we grow our assets, look for those signs that come along that tell us where and when to grow our reach.

Q: You and your company have been generous donors to the foundation. Why should others consider giving to Palm Health Foundation?


A:  Palm Health Foundation is a very thoughtful human and humane search engine for where giving should be done in the health space. Those with large resources can make a big difference in the world around them in Palm Beach County and beyond, particularly in brain health, which touches nearly every family one way or another. For those without financial resources, I would persuade to give of their time or expertise, because we need people to be part of that human search engine to find the best ways to improve health. Palm Health Foundation excels at including all voices from the community. We always come to better decisions together than any of us would come to alone.


If you’d like to get involved in the foundation’s work, contact us at info@phfpbc.org! 




David Wisehaupt Elected Palm Health Foundation Board Chair Announcement


David Wisehaupt, managing director, Wisehaupt, Bray Asset Management/ Hightower, has been elected chair of the board of trustees at Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. Wisehaupt joined the foundation board in 2015 and formerly served as chair of the finance committee. He has been instrumental to the stewardship of the foundation’s assets and its vision that all Palm Beach County residents have opportunities to thrive and reach their full health potential. Wisehaupt succeeds former chair, Denise Bober, senior vice president human resources at The Breakers Palm Beach.


As an expert in the financial services sector with 40 years of experience providing investment guidance to clients, Wisehaupt brings strong fiscal responsibility and strategic philanthropy to his new role. During his time as chair of the foundation’s finance committee, assets reached a $100 million milestone, enabling increases in investments made in the foundation’s priority areas, including building a culture of health, advancing brain health and strengthening the health professions. His focus as chair is to continue to grow the foundation as a community asset dedicated to health and wellbeing for generations.


“Figuratively speaking, I’m a real believer in planting trees that we may never get to sit under,” said Wisehaupt. “We need to grow Palm Health Foundation to help people now and in the future. And as we grow our assets, we will look for those signs that come along that tell us where and when to grow our reach.”


Brain health is one area where Wisehaupt believes Palm Health Foundation has significant opportunity to advance and make Palm Beach County a hub for linking science with care. The foundation recently awarded a $1 million gift to launch the Florida Atlantic University Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s Program in Computational Brain Science and Health through its Brain Health Innovation Fund to support new technologies, treatments, resources and educational tools to advance brain health in the community. Wisehaupt sees the unique role the foundation plays in making connections between philanthropists and brain health advancement opportunities that are designed to strengthen connections between brain health research, community and the system of care in Palm Beach County.

 

“Those with resources can make a big difference in the world around them in Palm Beach County and beyond. That’s particularly true in brain health, which touches nearly every family one way or another,” said Wisehaupt.


“Dave’s insight, long-term vision and compassion for others are great assets to our foundation and our community,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “He has made extraordinary contributions as a leader, volunteer and donor, and we are excited to have him chair Palm Health Foundation for the next two years.”


In addition to his commitment to Palm Health Foundation, Wisehaupt has served as a voting member of the Rivers Coalition. He has been active with the Florida Oceanographic Society. He currently serves as treasurer and chair of the finance committee as well as the Church Council for Redeemer Lutheran. He also serves on the board of IWFS. He is an avid boater, sailor, diver, fisherman and medal winning amateur wine maker. Wisehaupt earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The Pennsylvania State University. He has done post graduate work at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He holds and maintains his Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation. As well as myriad Federal and State licenses. He is a resident of Stuart where he resides with his wife Shawn of 32 years.  Family is a priority, and they recently welcomed their first grandchild. 


About Palm Health Foundation 

Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

Building Healthier Neighborhoods Through Connection and Trust

May 28, 2026
Aspen Institute spotlighted BeWellPBC , a Palm Beach County behavioral health movement supported by Palm Health Foundation, and their Community Connectors , a group of advocates that help improve the health and wellbeing of their neighborhoods by serving as a bridge between residents and private and public health services.  These Community Connectors are deeply trusted and have helped their communities navigate complex health challenges – like when one neighbor didn’t know what to do when her husband was admitted to a nursing home as his dementia worsened.

Brain Health Across the Lifespan for the PBC CHIP and Healthcare Council

May 28, 2026
Palm Health Foundation hosted an educational session for the Palm Beach County Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and Healthcare Council , themed, “Brain Health Across the Lifespan.” This council serves as a countywide collaborative focused on improving health outcomes through shared priorities, cross-sector partnership, and coordinated action. Our brain health-focused session spotlighted how the Brain Coast Vision is translating brain science into practice through workforce development , shared learning , and community partnerships . Session presenters included: Patrick McNamara, LCSW, President and CEO, Palm Health Foundation Bama Lutes Deal, PhD, Palm Beach County NeuroArts Collaborative Deborah Germain, MPH, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Culture of Health Network Spotlight: Partners Learning About Food as Medicine

May 28, 2026
Last year, Palm Health Foundation supported a cohort from our Culture of Health Network to attend the Help Conference , a regional event focused on health equity through plant-forward initiatives to improve the lives of those living with diet related diseases. Attendees included representatives from American Heart Association , Healthier Boynton Beach , and Healthier Glades .  This opportunity strengthened relationships between local organizations committed to health equity and provided invaluable learning.

Leading Change through the Culture of Health Network

May 28, 2026
This month, Palm Health Foundation convened 11 initiatives from across the Culture of Health Network for a full day focused on leadership, relationship building and community change efforts. The gathering was designed to strengthen local leadership structures while also creating space to learn across communities and initiatives.  Participants explored how to build lasting change using the resources and relationships already present within our communities. This was a wonderful opportunity to see who is “with us” in the shared effort to lead change for better health across Palm Beach County.

Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Naelys Luna

May 27, 2026
Palm Health Foundation is proud to have Dr. Naelys Luna, founding dean and professor at the FAU College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, on our esteemed Board of Trustees. Dr. Luna’s journey to her current position as leader, advocate, and educator is beyond inspiring, from political persecution in Cuba to becoming nationally recognized for her impact on the field of social work and higher education. Her story is a reminder of the power of hope, education, and resilience:

Humanizing Health: Removing Financial Barriers for Future Social Workers

April 27, 2026
Palm Health Foundation proudly supports paid practicum experiences for FAU’s Sandler School of Social Work MSW students. Through this support, we’re removing financial barriers to education and growing a capable behavioral health workforce in our community. One of FAU’s outstanding MSW students, Amy Ferguson, was placed with the Palm Health Foundation team for her learning, and provided a reflection on her experience:

Palm Health Foundation Announces New Board Leadership

April 24, 2026
West Palm Beach, Fla. – Palm Health Foundation today announced the election of new officers to serve on its board of trustees. The new leadership brings decades of combined experience in health, community development, law, and philanthropy to guide the foundation's mission to inspire and fund solutions for better health in Palm Beach County through community collaboration. 

Palm Health Foundation Convenes Global Brain Health Leaders to Launch Inaugural Brain Coast Advisory Council

March 30, 2026
South Florida Positioned as One of Four U.S. Brain Economy Hubs Poised for National and Global Influence 

Palm Health Foundation's 2025 Report to the Community

February 24, 2026
Palm Health Foundation is pleased to share our 2025 Report to the Community, which highlights our commitment to leading change for better health – now and for generations to come.

Healthier Boynton Beach Honors 130 Family Caregivers at 9th Annual Recognition Luncheon

January 27, 2026
Healthier Boynton Beach, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, recently celebrated the unwavering dedication of family caregivers at its 9th Annual Caregivers Recognition Luncheon at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach. More than 150 guests gathered for an afternoon of appreciation, connection, and joy. "Caring Hearts & Strong Hands – Celebrating the Love and Dedication of Family Caregivers," honored 130 family caregivers during a celebration that featured laughter, music, and meaningful moments, giving caregivers a well-deserved respite from their daily responsibilities. Montre Bennett opened the program with a mindfulness moment, followed by Boynton Beach Mayor Rebecca Shelton’s heartfelt welcome and personal caregiving story. Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay delivered the invocation before lunch, then handed the microphone to event host Rod-Z, who entertained guests with comedy, songs, and dancing. The JSharp Band provided outstanding live music that had caregivers on their feet throughout the afternoon.  Highlights of the event included keynote speaker Charlotte Wright’s moving message acknowledging the challenges and profound rewards of family caregivers’ service, and the presentation of the prestigious Caregiver Award to Angela T. Williams of Delray Beach, recognizing her extraordinary dedication and selfless service to her husband.