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.

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.

Palm Health Foundation Grant Brings Day of Wellness to School Behavioral Health Professionals at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

January 27, 2026
Thanks to a grant from Palm Health Foundation , The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) in West Palm Beach recently hosted a Day of Wellness for Palm Beach County School District Behavioral Health Professionals, who dedicate their lives to providing behavioral and mental health services to students. Seventy frontline mental health staff enjoyed a day of reflection, relaxation, rejuvenation, self-care, and professional development. The Day of Wellness was created in recognition of professionals’ deep commitment to the county’s youth and the emotional toll of the high-impact services they provide as challenges among school-age children continue to rise. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health , between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed depression among 12–17-year-olds increased by 45 percent, and diagnosed anxiety increased by 61 percent.  Set amidst ANSG’s beautiful and peaceful landscape of the sculpture gardens and the historic, inspirational Artist Studio, the program featured a series of therapeutic experiences led by local expert facilitators, including Creating a Garden of Gratitude and Hope, a therapeutic experience blending visual arts with personal reflections by Tiffany Mitchell and Amy Case of Rhythms of Hope, and Music for Mindfulness and Intention led by Bree Lukosavich. Participants also enjoyed creating a watercolor mindscape with art therapist Alicia Ballestas, exploring self-care with Shabrae Jackson, joining in a pollinator planting activity with ANSG Master Gardener CJ McCartney, and closing the day with a drumming circle led by Abasi Hanif.

Christina Worley Joins Our Finance Committee

December 9, 2025

The Healthier PBC Endowment Fund

November 26, 2025
The Palm Health Foundation Endowment Fund provides the financial foundation for long-term strategic action.

Healthier Glades Celebration

November 21, 2025
This fall, Healthier Glades , a Palm Health Foundation Healthier Together initiative , hosted a celebration event with community and partners to honor the resident-led work accomplished over the years of the initiative’s existence. In addition to food and fellowship, attendees shared aspirations for the initiative’s future and reflected on highlights, such as: The impact of Healthier Glades’ mini grants offerings Reduction of youth violence through collaborations with the “Dads on Duty” initiative The air quality initiative spearheaded in partnership with PHF Trustee Dr. Lisa Wiese The Safety Walk – an effort to identify unsafe areas on children’s walk-to-school routes, leading to the establishment of flashing lights in critical areas Resident connection to Mental Health First Aid training , strengthening the recognition that mental health is health Palm Health Foundation is honored to be part of the work that continues to advance health in the Glades communities.

Meet Our New Fellow: Amy Ferguson

November 21, 2025

Train the Brain Campaign Connects All Ages and Communities

November 21, 2025
Palm Health Foundation ’s October 2025 Train the Brain community health campaign, themed “Brain Health Across the Lifespan,” offered opportunities all month long, drawing nearly 300 community members to connect with local brain health champions, access practical, science-backed information, and take meaningful steps to support brain health for themselves, their families, and their neighbors – at every age and stage of life. Train the Brain inspired local organizational collaborations from Belle Glade to Boynton Beach to offer a range of community programs to help residents of all ages recognize that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. At “Arts on the Muck,” Glades community elders engaged in arts activities, memory boosting games, music, and movement during a football-themed afternoon. The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum joined with The Center for Child Counseling to bring the brain-boosting benefits of yoga, art making, and music to children, while their parents and caregivers learned practical, science-based tips to support brain health and emotional well-being at home.  “Collaborations such as these create partnership opportunities though which we can further strengthen our communities,” said Ljubica Ciric, Senior Director of Strategic Impact, Center for Child Counseling.

Cultivating Compassionate Leaders: PHF's Scholarship Reception

November 21, 2025
Palm Health Foundation ’s Scholarship Reception on October 28, 2025, brought together nursing and behavioral health scholars with their donors for an inspiring evening at The Center for Philanthropy in West Palm Beach, FL. Over 90 guests gathered in the center’s tropical courtyard to celebrate 62 scholarship recipients, with musical entertainment provided by orchestra students from Grace Notes Music Foundation . Together with donors, Palm Health Foundation has awarded more than $4.6 million in health professions scholarships since 2001.  Gratitude flowed throughout the evening as scholars met their scholarship donors—many for the first time—and two former recipients shared their personal stories of overcoming barriers to continue their education and become health professions leaders thanks to The Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation. Dr. Alice Brumley spoke about how her scholarship supported her through the challenges of nursing during the pandemic. “More than financial support, it was knowing that someone believed in me, and my community was supporting me,” she said. Today, Dr. Brumley serves as Interim Director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center at FAU, leading compassionate, community-centered care for individuals and families affected by memory disorders.

Palm Health Foundation to Launch “Brain Health Across the Lifespan” During October’s Train the Brain Month

August 27, 2025
Community campaign to highlight brain health at every stage of life, aiming to boost resilience and prevent neurological issues. 

Healthier Glades Launches Free Five-Week Mini Grant Workshop Series

August 21, 2025
Applicants must attend at least one workshop to be eligible for Healthier Glades 2026 mini grants.