About Jen

Town Supervisor Jen DeSena is best known for keeping her promise to secure the largest town property tax cut ever seen in North Hempstead. By cutting taxes for three straight years, DeSena has reduced the overall town tax burden by a whopping 22%. Through responsible budgeting, DeSena has upgraded parks, roadways and services without increasing costs for residents. She has also led the charge against Governor Hochul’s plan to flood our neighborhoods with high-density apartment buildings and high-voltage transmission lines. From day one, Supervisor DeSena has worked to keep North Hempstead safe and welcoming for all by increasing safety patrols at houses of worship, partnering with the American Jewish Coalition to address rising antisemitism, and leading rallies that support better education on Asian American history.

Before Jen DeSena took office, North Hempstead struggled with mismanagement and corruption — costing taxpayers in more ways than one. To fix that, Supervisor DeSena restructured the Town’s Board of Ethics, restoring its independence to prevent political interference and protect residents from conflicts of interest. She also made government more transparent, ordering daily broadcasts of Town Board meetings for the first time ever and commissioning an audit of the Buildings Department. Supervisor DeSena exposed major inefficiencies from prior administrations, leading to overhaul of the department with faster, more accessible services — including a new help desk, open-door policy, cross-trained staff, and digital upgrades — saving residents time, money, and frustration.

Long-stalled community projects are finally moving forward under DeSena’s leadership. The Town now repaves over 22 miles of roads annually — nearly triple the previous average — and secured major projects like replacing the 127-year-old Webster Avenue Bridge and building new Long Island Railroad tracks to improve commutes for Port Washington, Manhasset, and Great Neck residents. She also negotiated a groundbreaking partnership with LPGA golfer Kelley Brooke’s company to revamp Harbor Links Golf Course. This deal guarantees annual revenue for the Town while covering $2 million in upgrades, including a new driving range and performance building, all without costing taxpayers a dime. DeSena spearheaded the creation of 14 lighted pickleball courts at Tully Park, now one of the largest public pickleball facilities in the Northeast, alongside upgrades to the track, field, parking lot, and walkways. Broadway Park in Garden City Park is getting a full renovation, including new spray pads, playgrounds, and game areas, funded mostly through the MTA’s Third Track Corridor Development Program. More improvements are planned for 2025, including resurfaced ball fields, better dog parks, beautification projects, and pedestrian safety upgrades in Carle Place and Manhasset — all without raising taxes.

An environmentalist, Supervisor DeSena launched the Graywater Irrigation Project at Harbor Links, which uses recycled stormwater to water the golf course, reducing freshwater use and safeguarding Long Island’s aquifers. The Town has planted over 1,200 trees, rebuilt local reefs with recycled concrete, and expanded green programs like composting, waterway cleanups, and environmental education — creating a greener, healthier community at no extra cost to residents.

Outside of public service, DeSena has always been a dedicated community leader. She served as an officer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, volunteered at St. Mary’s Church, and was a past board member of the Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer. A Boston College and St. John’s University Law School graduate, DeSena previously worked as an Enforcement Attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), protecting the public from financial wrongdoing.

Supervisor DeSena lives in Manhasset with her husband, Ralph, their college-aged sons, Robert and Michael, and their dog, Sandy. An avid runner and triathlete, she’s always ready to go the extra mile — for taxpayers and for North Hempstead.