We are caring and committed to transformation. We are what’s next.

MEET THE possibilities TEAM

Mather Possibilities Team comprises an energetic and pioneering group of professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. The team finds ways to build excitement and enthusiasm for what’s next within the organization, with a cultural commitment to making it a NextraordinaryTM place to work.

Mather Possibilities Team empowers every team member to be confident, creative, and curious in discovering the wonder of what’s next. It’s what we call our “inner orange,” in recognition of Mather’s bold brand color. It’s a fiery passion for service and making a difference that burns within us all—and we’re just getting warmed up!

Mary Leary

Mary Leary

President and Chief Executive Officer

Mary brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in senior living, hospitality services, and health care to guide Mather in expanding its leadership presence in senior living, community-based programs, and applied research.

Mary previously served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Classic Residence by Hyatt, the senior living affiliate of Hyatt Corporation, where she oversaw the start-up and day-to-day operations of 18 senior living communities including more than 6,000 residents. She also provided technical assistance services and sales and marketing oversight for communities under development, valued at nearly $1 billion.

Mary is a member of the executive board of the American Seniors Housing Association; the operator advisory board of the National Investment Center (NIC) as well as the research committee of NIC; the advisory board of Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures; and the board of Churchill Casualty, LTD.

Previously, she served on the board of Caring Communities Insurance Company, a Reciprocal Risk Retention Group, chairing its risk committee.

She founded Novare®, a national consortium of single-site and small-system CCRC Life Plan Community providers, serving as chair for its first 10 years.

She earned a master’s degree in health policy and management from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in business/health services administration from Cornell University.

Mary Ages Well by spending time with family, traveling, and experiencing new things.

Meredith Boyle

Meredith Boyle

Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

Meredith acts as a catalyst for innovation in developing strategic partnerships, collaboration, and alliances that support Mather’s mission, vision, goals, and values. She works to incorporate innovative practices and approaches to senior living, while expanding affiliations and relationships with senior living providers, organizations, and educational institutions to increase Mather’s reach and grow the number of older adults the organization serves.

She brings more than 30 years of strategic and results-driven industry experience, with expertise in marketing, sales, branding, finance and enterprise growth.

Meredith earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Delaware.

She Ages Well by sailing and by traveling with her family.

Dominice LaPorte

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Dominice is responsible for the development and implementation of all elements of our organization’s human resources strategies and programs, and serves as a strategic business partner working closely with Mather leadership. She oversees Mather’s culture initiatives and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program, and supports the continued evolution of Mather’s Leadership Development and Management Essentials Programs.

Dominice has more than 30 years of experience in human resources. Her most recent role previous to joining Mather was Vice President, Business Human Resources for Endeavor Health (formerly NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health), where she oversaw people strategies for six hospitals with 17,000 employees.

She has a master’s degree in organizational development from Benedictine University and is a Senior Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resources Professionals.

Dominice Ages Well by connecting with friends and family, biking outdoors, and learning about history.

Christopher Manella

Christopher Manella

CPA, Senior Vice President of Finance and Treasurer

With many years of experience in financial management, Chris is responsible for the integrity of Mather financial statements and accounting operations, as well as budgeting, forecasting, and analysis. He leads the organization’s treasury function, including responsibilities for cash and working capital management, bank relationships, and financing. He also oversees tax reporting and external financial audits.

Before joining Mather, Chris was Director of Accounting for CC Industries Inc. and served as a Division Corporate Controller for Flextronics International.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

Chris Ages Well by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly.

Gale Morgan

Senior Vice President of Sales

Gale is responsible for the coordination and oversight of sales and occupancy efforts for Mather senior living residences. She works with sales teams within each residence to guide them in meeting their goals, and has led them to master the art of relationship selling.

Gale has also been instrumental in training management and frontline teams within senior living and community-based initiatives in providing extraordinary customer experiences.

Before joining Mather, Gale served as AVP of Sales & Marketing for Classic Residence by Hyatt and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Retirement Community Specialists.

Gale earned her bachelor of business administration degree in Marketing from the University of Phoenix.

Gale Ages Well by hiking in the lovely Arizona desert.

David Murlette

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SENIOR LIVING

David oversees the operations of all Mather senior living residences, including Mather’s Life Plan Community in Tysons, Virginia, that will open in early 2023.

With 30 years’ experience in senior living, David brings a wealth of experience in managing Life Plan Communities across the country. He joined Montereau in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as Chief Operating Officer in 2006, and served as President and Chief Executive Officer for 12 years.

Prior to Montereau, David served as SVP of Operations for CRSA in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was responsible for operational oversight of six Life Plan Communities in five states, and the Corporate Culinary Services division, which provided oversight and programs to 26 communities across 15 states.

David holds a Dietary Manager’s Certification from Midwestern State University.

David Ages Well by walking lots of miles and playing golf.

Cate O'Brien, PhD

Cate O'Brien, MPH, PhD

Senior Vice President of Mather Institute & Community Initiatives

Cate joined Mather as a Senior Research Associate in 2005. She leads the Institute’s research team to identify, develop, and conduct research programs in wellness and engagement across the aging services field. She also conducts and disseminates various research projects, and establishes partnerships with universities to expand Mather’s reach and enhance the Institute’s reputation as a thought leader. Cate collaborates with all areas of Mather to evaluate the impact of internal initiatives.

Cate also leads the Community Initiatives team in developing and implementing strategies to grow the number of older adults served through virtual and in-person programs, such as the popular D.I.T. (Do It Together) Creative Art Kits.

Cate earned a master of arts degree in Cultural Anthropology from University of California, San Diego; a master’s in public health (epidemiology) from San Diego State University; and a PhD in public health and community health sciences from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Mary Schoeggl

Chief Financial Officer

Mary serves as a strategic business partner in supporting the continued growth of Mather, and oversees our organization’s investments, accounting/finance, information technology, and risk management.

With more than 35 years of experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the senior living industry. Previous to Mather, Mary held several key positions at Pacific Retirement Services Inc. (PRS) in Medford, Oregon, including Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Development, Vice President of Operations, and Chief Financial Officer.

She holds a bachelor or science in Business Administration from Southern Oregon University.

Mary Ages Well by traveling, golfing, boating, and spending time with her family and friends.

Brenda Schreiber

Brenda Schreiber

Senior Vice President of Marketing

Brenda is responsible for marketing, public relations, and digital efforts for Mather.

She is involved in developing and implementing marketing strategies for our senior living communities, expansion of neighborhood programs, digital marketing initiatives, and employee engagement programs.

Brenda led the naming efforts to make the industry-wide change from Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) to Life Plan Community and guided the recent launch of #AgeWell tips on social media.

Brenda earned her bachelor of arts degree in Communications with an emphasis on public communications and human relations, with a minor in Journalism, from Western Illinois University.

Brenda Ages Well by doing hot yoga, laughing with family and friends, and hitting the beach.

Joe Zajdel

Joe Zajdel

Senior Vice President of Business Development

Joe is responsible for overseeing senior living development efforts, including site acquisition, entitlements and regulatory approvals, and design and construction management—as well as providing ongoing support to existing communities.

He is also responsible for market research, investment modeling, project/business planning, and obtaining equity and construction financing.

Joe has played a major role in more than $300 million of development at Mather, and currently oversees more than $650 million in new development projects. In 2010, he was appointed to the National Investment Center’s Future Leaders Council and serves as Liaison for its Leadership Development group.

In addition to earning his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Joe earned his master of business administration degree from the University of Chicago with a specialization in finance and a concentration in economics.

Joe Ages Well by playing guitar, listening to music, and enjoying food and wine.

Our Board of Directors

Timothy Burke Former Partner and Chief Financial Officer, William Blair & Company

Gloria Castillo Associate Vice President, Chicago Community Trust and Director, We Rise Together: For an Equitable and Just Recovery

Jenny Chan Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Jack Chandler Founder, Majesteka Investments Holdings LLC

Michelle L. Collins President, Cambium LLC

Paulette Dodson Former General Counsel, Alight, Inc.

Mary Leary CEO and President, Mather

Michael McGee Former Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP

Sumati Murli Director of Clinical Research Administration, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

John Phillips Mather Board Chair and Former CEO and Chairman, Corporate Solutions Group, Jones Lang LaSalle

Scott Smith Former Publisher, Chicago Tribune and President, Tribune Publishing

Terence Toth Former President, Northern Trust Global Investments