Tioni Simmons, Nareit’s vice president of human resources, passed away on July 27 following a sudden illness.
Simmons was a valued member of the Nareit family for eight years and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege and joy of both knowing and working with her.
During her time at Nareit, she made a lasting impact through her dedication, professionalism, kindness, and the relationships she built with all of the staff. She was a true HR professional who seamlessly combined deep expertise in benefits, payroll, and compliance with a genuine care for people. She understood both the technical details and the human side of HR, and approached every challenge with compassion, curiosity, and a commitment to helping others succeed. She had a passion for technology and was always looking for ways to improve processes, embrace new tools, and continue learning and growing professionally.
From planning staff celebratory and training events to participating in panel discussions at Nareit conferences, Simmons played a significant role in Nareit’s continued success as an organization.
In addition to her service to Nareit, Simmons was a dedicated and loving mother of twin 10-year-old girls.
Simmons’ absence will be deeply felt, but she will never be forgotten by those who were fortunate to have known her.