Board of Directors
Committed to Our Future
Strong governance is critical to strong operations and long-term sustainability. Board duties include strategic planning, reviewing organizational structures and system operations, monitoring Asbury’s growth plans, and ensuring transparency of audit information and other financial reports.
The Asbury Communities Board of Directors represents the Asbury parent corporation, which provides management services to its related organizations. As directors of a not-for-profit organization, board members ensure that Asbury fulfills its Mission and tax-exempt purpose, as well as meets its obligations to all of its constituencies.
Asbury owes a debt of gratitude to these dedicated Board members who bring business acumen, leadership, and commitment to building our organization’s future.
For detailed information on recent Board activities and decisions, please view the Asbury Atlantic, Inc. Board minutes.
Eric is a seasoned board chair and financial strategist with extensive experience guiding life sciences organizations through growth, transformation, and long-term value creation. Over his career, he has led more than $1 billion in debt and equity financings and advised organizations at every stage—from emerging ventures to global enterprises.
He has served as Chief Financial Officer for both public and private companies, bringing deep expertise in capital strategy, governance, mergers and acquisitions, and financial oversight. His leadership experience spans Immunomic Therapeutics, OpGen, Avalon Pharmaceuticals, Invitrogen Corporation, Life Technologies, and Genex Corporation, where he supported innovation, operational scale, and investor financial stewardship.
As Chair of the Board of Directors for Asbury Communities, Eric provides disciplined governance, financial stewardship, and strategic insight to support Asbury’s continued evolution as a forward-thinking leader in senior living. He also serves on the board of Nuo Therapeutics (OTCQB: AURX) and chairs its Audit Committee.
Eric holds an MBA from Mount Saint Mary’s University, a BA in Economics and Business Administration from McDaniel College, and is a Certified Public Accountant in Maryland (inactive). He lives in Potomac, Maryland, with his wife, Terry, and values time with their six children and eleven grandchildren. His personal interests include travel, biking, and golf.
Eric brings deep financial, governance, and capital strategy expertise that supports Asbury’s long-term stewardship, resilience, and continued growth as a mission-driven senior living organization.
Connect with Eric on LinkedIn.
R. Scott Coolidge is a board chair, executive advisor, and human capital strategist with extensive experience helping organizations strengthen leadership, culture, and long-term performance. His work spans senior corporate leadership, global consulting, and executive coaching, with a focus on guiding organizations through periods of change and complexity.
Scott previously served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Freddie Mac, where he helped design and implement enterprise talent strategies during the financial crisis beginning in 2008. Earlier, as a Partner at Towers Perrin, he led client engagements addressing human capital strategy, total rewards, compensation, and organizational effectiveness.
Today, Scott works with senior leaders and boards through his executive coaching practice and his affiliations with MyNextSeason and Human Capital Advisors. His advisory experience includes serving as an interim Chief Human Resources Officer, strategic HR consultant, and executive leadership coach for small and mid-sized organizations navigating leadership transitions.
As Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Asbury Communities, Scott brings a people-centered, governance-driven perspective that supports Asbury’s continued evolution as a forward-thinking leader in senior living. He also serves on the boards of Flat Rock Opportunity Fund, Flat Rock Core Income Fund, and Flat Rock Enhanced Income Fund.
Scott holds a BA from Harvard University and is a Certified Executive Leadership Coach through Georgetown University. He lives with his wife, Joda, in the mountains near Hendersonville, North Carolina, and spends part of the winter in Anna Maria, Florida. His interests include outdoor activities, travel, and engaging in the cultural life of both communities.
Scott’s leadership and human capital expertise strengthen Asbury’s focus on governance, culture, and leadership continuity in support of its evolving mission.
Melissa Fors Shackelford is a healthcare marketing and growth leader with deep experience shaping brand strategy, consumer engagement, and organizational reputation across complex healthcare ecosystems. Her career spans senior leadership roles within global health services organizations, nonprofit healthcare, and high-growth health technology companies.
Through her consultancy, Shackelford Strategies, Melissa is a sought-after advisor to C-suite leaders, venture-backed startups, and established healthcare brands. She partners with executive teams to sharpen market positioning, expand influence, and accelerate sustainable growth. Previously, Melissa held senior marketing leadership roles at Cigna’s Evernorth Health Services, where she led strategic marketing for Express Scripts’ pharmacy benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, contributing to market growth and customer engagement.
Earlier in her career, Melissa served as Vice President of Marketing at Hazelden Betty Ford, where she guided enterprise marketing strategy for one of the nation’s leading nonprofit healthcare organizations. She also spent six years at UnitedHealth Group’s Optum, holding multiple leadership roles focused on healthcare marketing and brand development.
A recognized thought leader in healthcare marketing, Melissa is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and a published writer on topics including healthcare branding and marketing ethics. Her work has been recognized with the American Marketing Association’s Nonprofit Marketer of the Year Award and the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST Award.
Melissa serves on the Board of Directors of Asbury Communities, where she is Chair of the Governance and Nominations Committee, bringing a strategic, consumer-focused perspective to board leadership and organizational stewardship. She also serves on the board of the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST and contributes to the field as a member of the American Hospital Association’s Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD) Editorial Advisory Board.
Melissa holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of St. Thomas and a BA from the University of Minnesota and is a NACD.DC Certified Director.
Melissa brings a consumer-informed, healthcare marketing perspective that supports Asbury’s focus on reputation, growth, and meaningful engagement across communities.
Veronica Hill-Milbourne is a healthcare executive and board leader recognized for advancing access to care, strengthening community-based health systems, and leading complex healthcare operations. Her experience spans provider, payer, and community health organizations, giving her a holistic perspective on care delivery, strategy, and sustainability.
Veronica currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of a Federally Qualified Health Center in Philadelphia, where she leads a multi-site organization delivering primary care, behavioral health, specialty medical, and pharmacy services. She has also led large-scale behavioral health and home and community-based service organizations with multiple service office locations across Pennsylvania, supporting care delivery in diverse and underserved communities.
Throughout her career, Veronica has held senior leadership roles within regional and national healthcare organizations administering government and commercial sponsored health care delivery programs. She is well regarded for her governance expertise, operational leadership, system-level strategy, and community advocacy. Her work reflects a strong commitment to equity, public service, and outcomes driven care.
An active board member and civic leader, Veronica serves on the boards of Addus HomeCare, the Pennsylvania Association for Community Health Centers, and The Health Federation of Philadelphia. Her prior board service includes Temple University College of Public Health’s Board of Visitors, Southeastern Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Villanova University’s College of Nursing Board of Visitors and Councilwoman for Horsham Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Veronica holds a Juris Doctor from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law, a Master’s Degree in Health Education from Saint Joseph’s University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Villanova University. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and is the proud mother of two daughters.
Veronica’s experience in community-based healthcare and governance closely aligns with Asbury’s commitment to access, equity, and integrated care.
Doug Leidig is a senior living executive and mission-driven leader with more than three decades of experience dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults. As President and Chief Executive Officer of Asbury Communities, Doug provides strategic leadership and organizational stewardship to guide Asbury’s continued growth, innovation, and impact.
Over more than 20 years with Asbury, Doug has helped shape the organization’s evolution by strengthening accountability, advancing data-informed decision-making, and fostering a culture of innovation and belonging. His leadership has supported the expansion of Asbury’s mission and services while maintaining a strong focus on resident experience, care quality, and long-term sustainability. Earlier in his career, Doug oversaw the operations of multiple senior living communities, giving him a unique firsthand understanding of the needs of residents, team members, and families.
Doug brings an active governance and industry leadership perspective to his work beyond Asbury. He serves on the advisory board for Senior Living 100, a premier leadership forum for executives from the nation’s most progressive senior living organizations. He also serves on the boards of Caring Communities. He previously chaired LeadingAge Maryland and served on the boards for Kairos Health System, Methodist Ministries Network, and The Healthcare Council.
Doug holds a bachelor’s degree in long-term care administration from York College and an MBA from Mount St. Mary’s University.
At Asbury, Doug brings a leadership perspective grounded in experience, integrity, and purpose – supporting the organization’s commitment to reimagining aging and building a strong, resilient future. Connect with Doug on LinkedIn.
Connect with Doug on LinkedIn.
Jean Machart is a product executive recognized for advancing innovation, scaling impact, and applying technology to improve health and wellbeing. Her work sits at the intersection of product, digital and artificial intelligence strategy, and enterprise transformation, with a focus on improving patient outcomes, business agility and organizational growth.
Jean currently serves as Head of Product at NMDP, where she leads the organization’s product strategy, P&L ownership and product management. Previously, Jean held senior leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group, working across both payer and provider environments. There, she led digital, AI, and operations initiatives focused on strategy development, roadmap alignment, and large-scale transformation through global, cross-functional teams. Earlier in her career, Jean served in executive roles at Ameriprise Financial, where she led the company’s largest mutual fund advisory program and guided enterprise-wide digital platform transformation to support growth among high-net-worth clients. She began her career at American Express Financial Advisors, building a foundation in finance and platform delivery.
Jean brings a future-oriented perspective to governance, with particular strengths in digital transformation, innovation strategy, and operational leadership. Her experience across healthcare, financial services, and emerging technology enables her to help organizations responsibly adopt new capabilities while staying grounded in mission and impact.
Jean holds an MBA in Information Technology and Operations from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and a BBA in Finance and Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She lives in the Greater Minneapolis area and enjoys international travel, reading, and hiking with her family.
Jean’s expertise in digital transformation and operational innovation supports Asbury’s forward-looking approach to technology, efficiency, and resident experience.
Dr. Mariana Matus Garcia is a technology entrepreneur and public health innovator recognized for advancing data-driven solutions that strengthen population health and community resilience. Her work bridges science, technology, and public policy, with a focus on translating complex data into actionable insight for large-scale decision-making.
She is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Biobot Analytics, a public health technology company that pioneered the use of wastewater intelligence for near real-time disease surveillance. Under her leadership, Biobot transformed wastewater data into a critical public health tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting national, state, and local response efforts. The company partnered with the CDC, HHS, and hundreds of communities to design and scale the first nationwide wastewater surveillance program—an unprecedented collaboration spanning public health agencies, utilities, academia, and federal institutions.
Beyond pandemic response, Biobot has expanded wastewater intelligence applications across congregate living environments, including assisted living communities, universities, military installations, and correctional facilities. More recently, the company has begun collaborating with leading pharmaceutical organizations to support vaccine and medical countermeasure development, extending the platform’s impact on future public health preparedness.
An internationally recognized expert in bio surveillance, Mariana has testified before Congress and regularly briefed senior leaders at the White House on the strategic value of wastewater data. She holds a PhD in Computational Biology from MIT, where her research focused on clinical and public health biomarkers, and has raised approximately $40 million in venture capital to scale Biobot’s mission-driven innovation.
Mariana’s leadership has been recognized by TIME100 NEXT, Newsweek, the Boston Globe, and the Aspen Institute, where she was named a Henry Crown Fellow in the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Through her work, she brings a forward-looking, technology-informed perspective to governance, with relevance to innovation, risk management, and community health.
She brings a data-driven public health and innovation lens that supports Asbury’s focus on community health, risk awareness, and future readiness.
Carla Robinson is a healthcare entrepreneur and board leader focused on expanding access, advancing health equity, and redesigning care delivery through technology-enabled models. Her work spans telehealth, home-based care, and digital health innovation, with a consistent emphasis on meeting people where they are.
Carla is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Canary Telehealth, a healthcare services company that engages patients in their homes through telehealth, phone outreach, and in-person visits. Under her leadership, Canary Telehealth has developed and scaled programs addressing chronic disease management, prevention, and maternal health—helping close care gaps for underserved populations. Carla’s perspective is further informed by more than a decade owning a home care company, giving her a grounded understanding of in-home services and patient needs.
Earlier in her career, Carla spent sixteen years in management consulting with McKinsey & Company and The Cambridge Group, where she advised Fortune 500 organizations on growth strategy, innovation, and consumer and patient engagement. Her consulting work spanned the health and wellness, digital health, medical device, and pharmaceutical sectors across the United States and internationally.
Carla brings strong governance and a civic lens to her board service. She currently serves as Vice Chair of Partnership for a Connected Illinois, advising on statewide telehealth access initiatives. Her prior board service includes leadership roles with Kaleidoscope, an Illinois-based nonprofit supporting youth and families, Friends of Jones, and Jack and Jill of America (Chicago Chapter). She is also an active member of The Chicago Network, The Chicago Club, and The Economic Club of Chicago.
A recognized voice in technology-enabled healthcare and health equity, Carla regularly speaks at conferences, forums, podcasts, and webinars on the future of care delivery.
Carla holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where she was named an Austin Scholar, and a BBA with honors from Howard University. She also completed executive education in AI Strategy at Kellogg. Carla lives in Chicago with her husband and business partner, Dr. Sam Robinson, and their two children.
Carla’s leadership in telehealth and home-based care strengthens Asbury’s vision for accessible, technology-enabled senior living.
Rich Shuman is a strategic advisor and business leader recognized for helping organizations clarify direction, strengthen brands, and navigate growth and transformation. His work spans large-scale enterprises and entrepreneurial environments, combining disciplined strategies with operational insight and execution.
Rich is the Founder and President of AP’OGEE, a business advisory firm focused on financial, operational, and brand-centric strategies. Through AP’OGEE, he advises organizations on strategic positioning, acquisitions, start-ups, and change management, working alongside leaders to build new sales channels, scale businesses and drive sustained value creation.
Earlier in his career, Rich spent thirteen years with Kellogg’s, a Fortune 200, Fast Moving Consumer Goods Company, where he played a key role in building its natural foods division from the ground up through acquisition and organic growth. He later served as President of a privately held company with leading market share in U.S. pain management imaging and examination equipment, guiding growth, operational performance, and market expansion within a specialized healthcare sector.
Rich brings a balanced governance perspective shaped by both corporate and entrepreneurial leadership. His experience blends structured enterprise processes with the agility required to drive transformation in fast-moving organizations. He has served in a variety of board and committee leadership roles, with contributions that emphasize strategic oversight, disciplined decision- making, and responsible stewardship, grounded in a commitment to serve those we lead.
Rich holds an MBA in Finance from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Elizabethtown College. He lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Kendra, and is the proud father of two.
Rich’s strategic and brand-centered perspective supports Asbury’s continued growth, clarity of purpose, and organizational stewardship.
Efonda Sproles is a people-centered leader and brand ambassador recognized for building inclusive cultures, developing talent, and scaling organizations through values-driven leadership. His career spans the health, wellness, and fitness sectors, where he has consistently focused on putting people first while delivering exceptional member and employee experiences.
Efonda serves as Senior Vice President of Scouting and Casting and Brand Ambassador at Life Time, a health and wellness company dedicated to whole-person wellbeing through its athletic country clubs, digital platforms, and coaching services. Over three decades with Life Time, Efonda has played a key role in the company’s growth across North America, helping attract, develop, and retain talent as the organization expanded to more than 170 clubs. His experience includes leadership across all aspects of club operations, from grand openings to day-to-day performance.
A trusted advisor and coach, Efonda brings deep expertise in leadership development, sales training, and executive coaching. He is a Certified Executive Coach through Stakeholder Centered Coaching and is widely recognized for his ability to connect with leaders and teams across diverse backgrounds. In 2020, he became a founding member of Life Time’s Inclusion Council, where he helped advance initiatives focused on belonging, access, and expanded engagement with underserved communities and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Efonda extends his commitment to community through nonprofit board service, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and as a founding board member of The Sanneh Foundation and Literacy Matters, organizations dedicated to youth development and early literacy. Through this work, he brings a strong lens of equity, service, and care to governance.
Efonda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Northern Iowa, where he was an All-American wrestler. He lives in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and is a husband, father, stepfather, and grandfather.
Efonda’s people-centered leadership and focus on inclusion and belonging align with Asbury’s commitment to culture, community, and whole-person care.
Stephanie Gary is a healthcare finance executive and board leader with deep experience guiding complex health systems through growth, transformation, and long-term financial stewardship. Her career spans academic medical centers and integrated health systems, where she has led enterprise financial strategy in highly regulated, mission-driven environments.
Stephanie currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Erlanger Health in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Previously, she was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at TidalHealth, a Maryland-based health system of hospitals and specialty practices. In that role, she oversaw all finance functions, including accounting and financial reporting, strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and decision support—strengthening financial discipline while supporting system-wide clinical and operational priorities.
Earlier in her career, Stephanie held senior finance leadership roles at Methodist Health System and UT Southwestern Medical Center, both in Dallas, where she managed large operating and capital budgets, supported strategic planning initiatives, and partnered closely with executive and clinical leaders to advance organizational performance.
Stephanie brings a strong governance perspective to her board and committee service. She currently serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee for CRISP (Chesapeake Regional Information System for Patients) and has previously served on the corporate board of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, the advisory board of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and the boards of the Duncanville and Cedar Hill Chambers of Commerce in Texas. Her leadership has been recognized through inclusion in Women in Leadership 2024 by The Forum of Executive Women.
She is a Certified Public Accountant and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas. She lives with her husband, Kito, and their two children.
Stephen Benoit is an executive leader and board member with broad experience in building, scaling, and guiding innovation-driven organizations across pharmaceutical, food and agricultural biotechnology, and consumer sectors. His career spans venture-backed start-ups and public companies, with a focus on translating science, technology, and strategy into sustainable growth.
Stephen has co-founded and led multiple venture-backed companies and business units, raising approximately $100 million in venture capital and guiding organizations through critical stages of development. His leadership experience includes advancing therapeutic programs from discovery through early clinical trials, leading acquisitions and post-merger integrations valued at more than $400 million and building high-performing teams that delivered consistent growth and operational results.
Currently, Stephen serves on the Board of Directors of MDI Therapeutics, a University of Michigan spinout developing novel treatments for fibrotic diseases. During his recent tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer, he led capital formation efforts, strengthened organizational capabilities, and oversaw key regulatory and clinical milestones, including the successful completion of Phase 1 clinical studies and continued progression of the company’s development pipeline.
Earlier in his career, he served as Chief Executive Officer and board member of Metabolic Solutions Development Company, and founded or led organizations focused on pharmaceutical development, food safety, biotechnology, and consumer health. His experience includes leadership roles with NanoMed Pharmaceuticals, Calgene, Applied Microbiology, and The Kellogg Company, as well as early career experience in financial services with Bank of America.
He brings a governance perspective grounded in innovation, risk awareness, and long-term value creation—experience that supports Asbury’s commitment to thoughtful growth, scientific advancement, and future readiness. He holds an MBA and a BBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University and has served as a Visiting Executive Lecturer at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and Western Michigan University.
Stephen is the proud father of three children and a grandfather of five.
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