In her role as West Health’s president and chief executive, Shelley Lyford brings extensive experience in developing and executing new aging initiatives to advance West Health’s mission to enable seniors to successfully age, living life on their own terms with access to high-quality health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence.

In addition to leading operational efforts, Lyford works directly with the West Health Institute’s board of directors and advises management on implementing strategic initiatives, objectives and policies.

Lyford played a critical role in helping establish the Gary and Mary West Foundation in 2006. Serving as its president and CEO, she oversees outcome-oriented, results-driven philanthropy, with a focus on positively impacting the lives of disadvantaged seniors. This is accomplished through the Foundation’s support of organizations such as Serving Seniors and a flagship Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center, which is hailed as an international model for successful aging. Lyford also chairs the board of directors for the Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center, a unique nonprofit addressing the way low-income seniors receive high-quality, affordable dental care.

Prior to her work with Gary and Mary West, Lyford was a director at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Joan Kroc Institute at the University of San Diego. Lyford currently sits on the Executive Committee of Grantmakers in Aging, is a board member of Generations United and is on the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors. She graduated from the University of San Diego summa cum laude with a M.A. in international relations and political-economy.

Marc Harper is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of West Family Holdings. Marc joined West in 2010 as CFO. Prior to joining West, Marc managed the Deloitte Tax’s Private Client Services practice in Orange County. Marc was also previously a managing director of myCFO. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,  American Bar Association, and the California Society of CPAs. In addition, Marc sits on numerous charitable boards in both Orange County and San Diego County. Marc earned his B.S. in Business Administration with an option in professional accountancy from California State University, Long Beach, and a J.D. from Western State University College of Law.

Donald Casey has more than 30 years of global health care experience and an outstanding track record in identifying and commercializing medical innovations. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of the Medical segment of Cardinal Health, a leading manufacturer and provider of medical products and supply chain services to hospitals, laboratories, physician offices, surgery centers and other sites of care across the health care continuum. Under Don Casey’s leadership as the CEO of the Medical segment, he repositioned the segment and delivered consistent revenue and operating income growth and helped position the segment for sustainable growth going forward.

Prior to Cardinal Health, Mr. Casey served as Chief Executive Officer of the Gary and Mary West Wireless Health Institute, a non-profit research organization focused on lowering the cost of health care through novel technology solutions from 2010 to 2012. Previously, Mr. Casey served as worldwide chairman for Johnson & Johnson’s comprehensive care group and a member of the company’s executive committee, where he oversaw its cardiovascular, diagnostic, diabetes and vision care franchises around the world. Mr. Casey began his career with Johnson & Johnson in 1985, advancing into executive positions throughout the company’s consumer, pharmaceutical and medical device franchises.

Mr. Casey serves on the boards of AdvaMed and the James Foundation and the Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center . Previously, he also served on the boards of Surgical Specialties (formerly AngioTech) and West Corp. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master of business administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.

As a front office administrator at Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center, Michelle Sainz helps patients understand how their coverage works under patient insurance or public health coverage. Sainz also helps them understand the importance of care coordination between dentist and primary care providers. She has been in the dental field for over 8 years, working with private insurance and public health.

Sainz is currently attending school pursuing her degree on Health Administration at San Diego State University. She enjoys working with the team at SDC as well as helping seniors understand and navigate dental care efficiently.

In her free time, Sainz enjoys spending time with her family hiking, painting, exercising and exploring all of the outdoor activities San Diego has to offer.