Jeff Branch joined LSMMD in July 2019. As president and CEO, he oversees the strategic direction of Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland and its communities, including setting the course for investing in team members and culture. The recipient of a master’s degree in Public Administration from Virginia Polytechnic & State University, he has spent the majority of his career serving seniors and in health care administration. Prior to joining LSMMD, he was senior vice president and managing director at Mather in Evanston, IL, where he managed senior living operations and guided the Mather Institute team in their mission to share innovations and next practices with the goal of improving aging services. Previous experience includes regional and division leadership roles at Sunrise Senior Living, one of the largest senior living organizations in the country, as vice president of operations serving 37 communities.

Ken Connelly works closely with the executive leadership team and provides strategic direction and leadership to the communities’ executive directors and 600-plus team members. He oversees all aspects of operations, including financial oversight, culinary and building services, health care and capital projects. For 20 years, he has served in various leadership roles in operations, sales, marketing and business development of national senior living and health care organizations, including HCR ManorCare and Sunrise Senior Living. Connelly has a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from Salisbury University, MD, and is a licensed nursing home administrator. He is the board president for Insight Memory Care, a day program that serves individuals with dementia located in Fairfax. VA.

Suzy Dyer-Gear leads a team of HR and talent acquisition professionals in providing a full range of HR services to almost 600 team members. She also serves as compliance official, a liaison role with a contracted compliance officer and firm. Dyer-Gear has more than 30 years’ experience in HR and organizational development. She earned a Master of Administrative Science Degree in Management from Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee. She is certified as a senior professional in human resources (SPHR) by the Human Resource Certification Institute, and as a senior certified professional in human resources (SHRMSCP) by the Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, for over 20 years Dyer-Gear has taught graduate level courses in business and HR as an adjunct instructor at local colleges and universities.

Paige Mills-Haag spearheads the organization’s philanthropic efforts including designing strategic and innovative philanthropic initiatives that advance the organization’s mission and overseeing charitable programs and initiatives in its communities. With over 17 years of expertise in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, Mills-Haag has held executive roles in two senior living communities. As a seasoned professional, she possesses extensive experience in planned giving, major gifts, annual gifts, capital campaigns, strategic planning, organizational leadership, board governance, community engagement and social responsibility. Mills-Haag earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Southern Nazarene University. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Association for Christian Fundraisers (ACF), formerly the Association of Lutheran Development Executives (ALDE).

Lisa Pearre leads metrics-based marketing and communications strategies for the organization and its communities. With over 20 years of senior living marketing and sales agency experience, Pearre has served as a thought leader and advisor for nonprofit senior living organizations. She has guided teams to success with start-up communities, major expansion projects, occupancy turnaround challenges, community repositioning and community and organizational rebranding. Pearre holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD.

Steve Powell oversees the finance services for LSMMD and its communities and works closely with the executive leadership team. Prior to joining, he served Carroll County government for 30 years where his roles included chief of staff and director of management and budget. During his time there, he instituted both a risk management and a grants management program to control costs and seek alternative funding opportunities. Powell holds a bachelor’s degree in political science/economics from Salem College in WV and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Virginia.

Pete Bolt oversees the daily operations of independent living, assisted living and health care at Carroll Lutheran Village, which includes facilities, dining, resident life, social work, chaplaincy, skilled nursing, assisted living and rehabilitation. Having worked in senior living for over 25 years, his experience includes business process improvement, operations and financial management, quality assurance, talent management and leadership. He holds a master’s degree in economics from Western Illinois University and bachelor’s degree in health care service management from University of Missouri.

Michelle Rosenheim oversees the daily operations of independent living, assisted living and health care of Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant, which includes facilities, dining, resident life, social work, chaplaincy, skilled nursing, assisted living and rehabilitation. Rosenheim, who has two decades of experience in senior living management, serves on the State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators and Howard County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is a certified preceptor of the nursing home Administrator-in Training Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in health care management with a minor in business administration from Towson University.

Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland serves older adults in the Lutheran tradition of social ministry and service.

Victoria Hathaway

Board Chair
Keller Williams Lucido Agency

Chris Borcik

Continuing Care Actuaries

Dave Bowersox

Hoffman, Comfort, Offutt, Scott & Halstad

Vic Broccolino

Semi-retired Hospital Executive

Rev. Christopher Frigm

Trinity Lutheran Church Taneytown

Ananta Hejeebu

Thrive

Steve Lambertson

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company - retired

Lindsay Moss

Elville and Associates, PC

Dorothy Plantz

Howard Community College - retired

Rev. David Schafer

St. Benjamin's Lutheran Church

Jeff Branch

President/CEO
Ex Officio Board Member

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Executive Leadership

Jeff Branch

JANET BUCHANAN, D.MIN.

KEN CONNELLY

SUZY DYER-GEAR

ANNE KEMPSELL

STEVE POWELL

MICHELLE ROSENHEIM

Jeff Branch

KEN CONNELLY

SUZY DYER-GEAR

Paige Mills-Haag

Lisa Pearre

STEVE POWELL

Pete Bolt

MICHELLE ROSENHEIM

Board of Trustees

Victoria Hathaway

Chris Borcik

Dave Bowersox

Vic Broccolino

Rev. Christopher Frigm

Ananta Hejeebu

Steve Lambertson

Lindsay Moss

Dorothy Plantz

Rev. David Schafer

Jeff Branch