Mary Leary
CEO and President

Mary Leary is President and Chief Executive Officer of Mather LifeWays. She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in senior living, health care, and long-term care to guide Mather LifeWays in expanding its leadership presence in senior living, community-based programs, and applied research and education. Mary joined Mather LifeWays to help further its mission of enhancing the lives of older adults through lifestyle and residential alternatives that create Ways to Age Well.

Mary previously served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Classic Residence by Hyatt, the senior living affiliate of Hyatt Corporation, where she oversaw day-to-day operations of 15 senior living communities including 4,600 units and more than 2,500 employees. She also provided technical assistance services and sales and marketing oversight for communities under development, valued at more than $600 million. During her 12-year tenure with Classic Residence by Hyatt, Mary rose to the position of COO following successes in operations, sales, and marketing. Prior to her work at Classic Residence by Hyatt, Mary brought her experience to diverse firms in senior living, health care, and long-term care, including Oxford Development Corporation and American Medical International, Inc.

Under her leadership, Mather LifeWays has received awards and recognition from the National Association of Home Builders, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the American Society on Aging, the National Investment Center, the National Mature Media, the Health Promotion Institute of the National Council on the Aging, and more.
Mary is as a member of the House of Delegates for the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. 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. 

Kathryn Brod
Vice President of Senior Living Strategic Initiatives

Kathryn Brod is Vice President of Senior Living Strategic Initiatives for Mather LifeWays and will focus on creating innovative new housing models to serve the next generation of older adults through collaboration with Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, Senior Living, and Community Initiatives staff. Brod will also assist in pursuing strategic collaborations, partnerships, and affiliations with other organizations, including the establishment of a network of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that wish to partner on a range of innovative services and programs.

Brod brings more than 20 years experience in the senior housing sector, including financial management, research, marketing, human resources management, and systems consulting. Prior to joining Mather LifeWays, she served as Senior Vice President/Director of Research at Ziegler for thirteen years. There, she was responsible for conducting all applied research activities for one of the nation’s leading investment banking firms for non-profit senior living providers. She also directed the firm’s extensive educational efforts and led board facilitation for not-for-profit clients. Brod has served as Director of Continuing Care at the American Association of Homes and Services to the Aging (now Leading AgeTM) and Chief Financial Officer of Collington Episcopal Life Care Community, Inc.

Brod earned an M.B.A. in finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

David Kane
Vice President of Senior Living for Mather LifeWays

David Kane is Vice President of Senior Living for Mather LifeWays. David has a diverse background in operations, working with a variety of organizations, including ARA Services, Classic Residence by Hyatt, and his own firm where he provided consulting to hospitality, fitness, and weight loss companies, as well as to clients involved in senior living, development, and property management.

David has worked with multiple senior living communities including Continuing Care Retirement Communities, independent living communities, and health care centers. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Neumann College, an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America, and received his Nursing Home Administrator certification from George Washington University.

Linda Hollinger-Smith Ph.D
Vice President of Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging

Linda Hollinger-Smith PhD is Vice President of Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging.  She leads a team of applied researchers and staff who are responsible for developing practical, value-added tools and programs for older adults and persons working with older adults in both senior living and community-based settings. 

Previously, Linda served as Senior Vice President of research of Life Services Network and as Mather LifeWays Director of Research. Earlier, she held progressively responsible nursing positions in the Rush-Presbyterian Medical Center system and was Assistant Dean for Academic Systems, College of Nursing, at Rush University, both in Chicago.

Linda has extensive experience in gerontological research, workforce development, and falls prevention.  She has a Ph.D. in gerontology from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), a Master’s Degree in medical-surgical nursing with dual majors in gerontological nursing and nursing services administration from UIC, and a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing from UIC.  She also has a certification in gerontological studies from the UIC School of Public Health and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

Chris Manella
Vice President and Controller

Chris Manella is Vice President and Controller of Mather LifeWays. With more than 20 years of experience in financial management, Chris is responsible for budgeting and financial forecasting for the organization as a whole. 

Most recently, Chris was Director of Accounting for CC Industries, Inc. and also served as Corporate Controller for Fextronics International, a publicly traded company.  Earlier, he was Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for The Bruss Company. 

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.

Sara McVey
Vice President and Experience Director of The Mather

Sara McVey is Vice President and Experience Director of The Mather, the organization’s new Continuing Care Retirement Community in Evanston. 

Sara has played an essential leadership role since joining Mather LifeWays in 2003, where she served as Vice President of Marketing, resulting in a strong and unique brand and national recognition for innovations in marketing to older adults.
She has more than 15 years of marketing experience, including Vice President of Account Services for The Food Group, a division of WPP, where she was responsible for obtaining new business and directing the marketing efforts for various Fortune 500 clients. Previously, she served as International Director of Sales and Marketing for The Carnegie Clubs in England and Scotland. Additionally, Sara was Assistant Vice President for Classic Residence by Hyatt, where she was responsible for managing its marketing and advertising efforts across the country.

Sara earned Bachelor's Degrees in health education and communications from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. She earned her Executive Master’s Degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

Gale Morgan
Vice President of Sales

Gale Morgan is Vice President of Sales for Mather LifeWays and is responsible for the coordination and oversight of sales and occupancy efforts for Mather LifeWays senior residences. Gale has also been instrumental in creating industry-specific customer service training programs with Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging. 

Gale has more than 20 years of experience in the senior living industry.  Previously, she served as Assistant Vice President of Sales and Marketing/Training for Classic Residence by Hyatt, where she was responsible for sales and marketing of seven communities, including four Continuing Care Retirement Community start-ups. She also served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Retirement Community Specialists (RCS) and Retirement Living Affiliates. 

Gale earned her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in marketing from the University of Phoenix.

Mary Sullivan
Vice President of Human Resources

Mary Sullivan is Vice President of Human Resources for Mather LifeWays. She brings more than 30 years of experience in human resources management as well as consulting experience for service, distribution, and manufacturing companies.

Prior to joining Mather LifeWays, Mary served as Vice President of Human Resources for Cole-Parmer Instrument Company, a global manufacturer and distributor of specialty instruments, where she oversaw employees in 10 locations worldwide. She has also served as principal at Sullivan and Associates, providing strategic human resources services for a diverse client base, including Rand McNally & Company, Baxter Healthcare, United Airlines, Ameritech, and American Hospital Supply Corporation.

Carol Sussenbach
CFO and Treasurer

Carol Sussenbach is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Mather LifeWays.  She is responsible for accounting, finance, information technology, and risk management efforts throughout the organization, and oversees more than $340 million in assets as part of the Mather LifeWays Investment Committee.

Carol has more than 30 years of financial management experience and has worked with several Fortune 100 companies, including Swift Independent and Esmark, Inc. Carol began her career in public accounting with Ernst & Young.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Carol earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois and her Master’s Degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

Carla Windhorst
Vice President of Community Initiatives

Carla Windhorst is Vice President of Community Initiatives for Mather LifeWays and is responsible for Mather’s—More Than a Café locations, Mather Edgewater, and Info Plus.  Additionally, Carla serves as Possibilities Officer. 

Before joining Mather LifeWays, Carla was President of the Alliance for Healthcare Strategy and Marketing. She also served as the Executive Director of the American Marketing Association. 

Carla graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned her Bachelor's Degree from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. She earned her Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Chicago.

Joe Zajdel
Vice President of Business Development

Joe Zajdel is Vice President of Business Development for Mather LifeWays and provides oversight and technical assistance for development projects. Joe has more than 20 years of experience in building design, construction management, and real estate investment and development. 

Since 1998, he has focused on the development of senior living communities, and prior to joining Mather LifeWays, served as Assistant Vice President of Development for Classic Residence by Hyatt. He also worked for Mesirow Stein Real Estate, a full-service development and real estate advisory services firm and Bovis-Schal, a construction management firm. Joe began his career as a structural engineer with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

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 with a specialization in finance from the University of Chicago.