Simone Handler Hutchinson, born March 15, 1965, is Chelsea Handler’s older sister and Senior Director of Healthcare Compliance at Genentech. She maintains a private life in San Francisco Bay Area, focusing on healthcare law and compliance rather than Hollywood fame.
When Chelsea Handler shares stories about her family on late-night television, one name keeps appearing: Simone Handler Hutchinson. While Chelsea commands millions of viewers with her comedy shows and bestselling books, her older sister built an equally impressive career. The difference is that Simone Handler Hutchinson chose privacy over the spotlight.
Most people recognize Chelsea Handler as the famous comedian who hosted “Chelsea Lately” for years. Few know about her sister Simone, who quietly established herself as a respected healthcare compliance leader. Their contrasting paths reveal an interesting truth about success and family bonds.
This article explores: Simone Handler Hutchinson’s professional career at Genentech, her family background and relationship with Chelsea, her education and expertise in healthcare law, and why she deliberately avoids public attention despite her sister’s celebrity status.
Early Life and Family Background
Simone Handler Hutchinson was born on March 15, 1965, in Livingston, New Jersey. She grew up in a household of six children, raised by Rita Handler, a homemaker from Germany, and Seymour Handler, a used-car dealer of Jewish descent.
The Handler family experienced tragedy early when Simone’s older brother Chet died in 1984. He was only 22 years old, falling from a cliff during a hiking accident in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Seymour Handler raised six children, including Chet Handler who predeceased him in 1984, Roy Handler, Glen Handler, Simone Handler-Hutchinson, Shoshanna Handler and Chelsea Handler.
Growing up in a large family shaped each sibling differently. While Chelsea would later become a comedian and television host, Simone pursued academics and law. Her path diverged from entertainment early on.
The Handler Siblings Today
The Handler family includes five surviving siblings. Roy Handler works as a chef and once specialized in northern Italian cuisine. Glen Handler maintains a private life with limited public information. Shoshanna Handler lives in West Caldwell, New Jersey, with her family. Chelsea became the most publicly visible member of the family.
Simone stands out as the sibling who achieved professional success without seeking public recognition. She married someone with the surname Hutchinson and adopted his last name professionally.
Professional Career Journey
Education Foundation
Simone Handler-Hutchinson holds a B.A. in Economics from Emory University. She later earned her law degree and built expertise in healthcare compliance and regulatory affairs.
Her educational background prepared her for complex legal work in the pharmaceutical industry. She understood early that healthcare law required both technical knowledge and ethical commitment.
Seton Hall Law School Years
Before joining Genentech, Simone worked at Seton Hall Law School in New Jersey. She served as Assistant Dean for Graduate and Professional Education and held the position of Executive Director at the Seton Hall Law Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy.
During her time at Seton Hall, she co-edited important healthcare compliance manuals. Simone Handler-Hutchinson served as Executive Director at Seton Hall Law Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy. She helped shape the next generation of healthcare lawyers through her leadership roles.
Her work at Seton Hall established her reputation in healthcare law circles. She became known for practical guidance on building effective compliance programs.
Current Role at Genentech
Today, Simone serves as Senior Director in Healthcare Compliance at Genentech, a leading biotechnology company in South San Francisco. Her areas of expertise include healthcare and life sciences law, corporate compliance, training, communications, US fraud and abuse law, US and EU drug and device development, and global anti-corruption law.
Her responsibilities extend across multiple critical areas:
Key Responsibilities:
- Building strong compliance cultures throughout the organization
- Serving as a trusted business advisor on healthcare law matters
- Overseeing healthcare compliance training programs
- Ensuring ethical practices in pharmaceutical development
- Managing regulatory compliance across US and EU markets
In 2024, Simone Handler authored an article about Genentech’s transformational shift to competency-based compliance training. The program she helped create won an LTEN Excellence Award in 2021.
Notable Achievements
Simone led the development of Compliance Fitness Training, an award-winning online learning program. The initiative moved Genentech away from traditional hours-based training toward competency-based learning.
Simone Handler stated that working with training partners helped her gain a deeper understanding of creating engaging learning experiences. The program now serves over 8,000 employees across different roles.
Her work impacts patient safety and pharmaceutical ethics daily. Through compliance programs, she helps ensure medications reach patients safely and ethically.
Relationship with Chelsea Handler
The Safari Story
The most famous story about Simone involves a trip to Africa with Chelsea. During a safari ride, Simone looked up at the sky and made an observation that would later become comedy gold.
Simone looked up at the sky and said to Chelsea that it’s not often you get to see the sun and the moon at the same time. Chelsea’s confused response revealed she thought the sun and moon were the same thing until age 40.
This story highlights their relationship dynamic. Simone serves as the grounded, educated sister who gently corrects Chelsea’s misconceptions. Chelsea turns these moments into entertainment.
Family Bond Despite Different Paths
The sisters maintain a close relationship despite their contrasting lifestyles. Simone appeared on Chelsea’s show in 2016, though she keeps such public appearances rare.
Chelsea often references Simone in interviews and books. She clearly respects her older sister’s intelligence and career achievements. Simone provides stability and honest feedback away from Hollywood pressures.
Their relationship proves that family bonds can thrive when members choose vastly different paths. One sister lives publicly, sharing intimate details with millions. The other guards her privacy carefully, focusing on professional achievements.
Why Privacy Matters to Simone
Deliberate Choice
Simone Handler Hutchinson could easily trade on her sister’s celebrity status. She chooses not to. This decision reflects her values and personality.
She maintains minimal social media presence. Little public information exists about her personal life beyond professional achievements and family connections. Whether she has children remains unclear, as she deliberately avoids oversharing.
Professional Benefits
Her privacy serves her professional life well. Healthcare compliance requires discretion and confidentiality. Building trust with pharmaceutical clients and colleagues demands maintaining professional boundaries.
By staying out of the spotlight, Simone ensures her work speaks for itself. Colleagues know her for expertise, not family connections. This separation helps her maintain credibility in a field where trust is everything.
Personal Values
Simone values autonomy and independence. She built her career through education, hard work, and expertise rather than name recognition. Her choices demonstrate that not everyone needs public validation to feel successful.
Her approach offers an alternative model for happiness and achievement. While Chelsea finds fulfillment in entertaining millions, Simone finds meaning in behind-the-scenes work that protects patients and ensures ethical pharmaceutical practices.
Impact and Legacy
Healthcare Contributions
Simone’s work affects countless patients and medical professionals. Through her compliance programs at Genentech, she helps ensure that pharmaceutical development follows ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements.
Her expertise in US and EU drug development regulations positions her as a valuable resource in the complex pharmaceutical industry. She bridges legal requirements with practical business needs.
The training programs she developed continue shaping how pharmaceutical companies approach compliance education. Her competency-based model influences industry standards.
Mentorship Role
Simone supports emerging legal professionals. In 2020, she helped connect a Seton Hall law student with a remote internship at Genentech. Nancy Shore DiLella and Simone Handler connected John DeFuria, a 3L Health Law Student, with a remote internship at Genentech.
She demonstrates commitment to professional development beyond her immediate responsibilities. By mentoring students and young professionals, she extends her impact to the next generation of healthcare lawyers.
Alternative Success Story
Simone represents an important narrative about success. Not everyone wants fame. Some people find greater fulfillment in professional excellence, privacy, and family relationships.
Her story challenges assumptions about achievement. While society often equates success with visibility, Simone proves that meaningful contributions happen behind the scenes too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Simone Handler Hutchinson?
She is Chelsea Handler’s older sister and Senior Director of Healthcare Compliance at Genentech, focusing on pharmaceutical law and regulatory affairs.
What does Simone Handler Hutchinson do for a living?
She works in healthcare compliance at Genentech, overseeing regulatory programs, training initiatives, and ensuring ethical pharmaceutical practices.
Is Simone Handler Hutchinson married?
Yes, she married someone with the surname Hutchinson and adopted his last name, though she keeps personal details private.
Where does Simone Handler Hutchinson live?
She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Genentech’s headquarters are located in South San Francisco, California.
Did Simone appear on Chelsea’s show?
Yes, she made a guest appearance on Chelsea Handler’s show in 2016 but generally avoids public appearances.
Comparing Career Paths
| Aspect | Simone Handler Hutchinson | Chelsea Handler |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1965 | 1975 |
| Education | B.A. Economics (Emory), J.D. | High school |
| Career Field | Healthcare compliance law | Comedy, television hosting |
| Public Profile | Private, minimal social media | Public figure, millions of followers |
| Work Location | San Francisco Bay Area | Los Angeles |
| Career Focus | Pharmaceutical compliance | Entertainment industry |
Conclusion
Simone Handler Hutchinson built an impressive career without seeking the spotlight. While her sister Chelsea entertains millions, Simone protects patients through healthcare compliance work at Genentech. Her expertise in pharmaceutical law and regulatory affairs makes her a respected leader in biotechnology.
Her story reminds us that family members can support each other while pursuing completely different paths. Success takes many forms. Not everyone needs fame to make meaningful contributions to society. Simone proves that quiet achievement and professional excellence matter just as much as public recognition. Her relationship with Chelsea shows that love and respect transcend different lifestyle choices.
