Joan Dunn Hendrickson has established herself as a distinguished expert in strategy and credit risk management, serving as the treasurer for the Town of Darien, Connecticut, since 2006. In this role, she strategically manages the town’s short-term investments, ensuring tax revenue generates additional income before expenditure. She also oversees the town’s fund balance, maintaining emergency reserves while optimizing growth through investment strategies. On average, she manages approximately $120 million in investments every six months. Elected every two years, she has been re-elected to serve as treasurer nine times.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Hendrickson held several key roles in the finance sector. She served as the credit training chief in Manhattan and was involved in credit training at First Union Corporation. Her experience also includes corporate banking and international finance roles at the Rhode Island Hospital Trust and Chicago Bank. She laid a strong academic foundation, earning a bachelor’s degree from Simmons University in 1977, and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University as a First Union scholar, a full scholarship that brought her to North Carolina.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Hendrickson is actively involved in civic and community organizations, volunteering with local nonprofits and engaging in local politics. As chairman of a scholarship fund for disadvantaged children in Springfield, she honors her grandmother’s memory by supporting educational opportunities for others. She also contributes to an internship program for high school and college students, serves on the board of a nature center, and is a lecturer at St. Thomas More Parish School.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Hendrickson’s journey to the treasurer’s office was sparked by her husband’s encouragement to run. She believes she stands out in the field for her ability to navigate complex financial landscapes with a blend of strong instincts and deep market knowledge. Having experienced multiple economic cycles, from the high interest rates of the 1980s to today’s more stable environment, she has developed a sharp sense of timing and risk assessment.
A standout moment in Ms. Hendrickson’s career occurred while serving as head of U.S. strategy at Daimler-Benz InterServices when she identified an unusually large cash reserve on a target company’s balance sheet and advised against its acquisition. Her insight proved invaluable when the company’s value plummeted soon after, saving millions. Additionally, she takes pride in surpassing the Town of Darien’s earnings last year. She attributes her success to perseverance and integrity, as well as her unwavering commitment to honesty and strong moral principles. Looking to the future, she plans to continue working before retiring to focus on her charitable endeavors. Additionally, she takes great pride in the Hendrickson family’s legacy of service, with her son dedicating years to helping inner-city communities and her husband contributing decades to military and corporate service. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys horseback riding, traveling, reading, and volunteering.