Our beloved founders.
Herb and Jeanne Mayer established the foundation to pay their entrepreneurial success forward. Lifelong learners, they were fueled by an innate curiosity about the root causes of societal problems and believed the path to real innovation always began with “doing your homework.” The Foundation honors their legacy by embracing their values and focusing on causes important to the family – investing in the lives of young people in California and backing innovative MS research and support services.
Meet our foundation board.
Like many foundation boards, ours brings together a cross section of perspectives and expertise. But as individuals, we also bring a shared belief that our decisions should flow from a worldview rooted in giving, involvement, and a commitment to leave things better than we found them.
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Sarah Kalter, CEO, Executive Director >
Sarah would very much like to solve illiteracy, make reproductive rights a given, and save our home planet. Tough issues? Definitely, but that’s what energizes Sarah. It’s one of the qualities that makes her such an effective leader. She does the deep dives into every potential grantee – vision, operating model, and most importantly, potential for sustainable change. With international experience in the corporate and non-profit worlds, and as a member of the Mayer family, Sarah is uniquely suited to lead our Foundation.
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​Brooke Cutler >
When people say “live your truth” they’re describing Brooke. She provides support to organizations working to achieve global health equity and protect human rights, with a special emphasis on girls and women. But more than that, her entire career has been one of service as an international development consultant for non-profits. Her perspective, strategic and operational, is invaluable as the Foundation evaluates potential grantees.
Eric Marton >
Eric gives to organizations pursuing precision healthcare, a better future for kids, and a secure future for Israel. Yes, paradigm-changing ventures are kind of Eric’s thing. With decades of experience in healthcare leadership – strategy, hospital operations, medical group management, venture capital, private equity, and M&A - his perspective is especially valuable as the Foundation’s mission has expanded into MS.
Katelyn Kalter, Treasurer >
Katelyn is working toward a world where healthcare is an automatic right, a thriving future for the animal kingdom is assured, and some of humanity’s most debilitating neurological disorders are solved. As a descendent of The Mayer Foundation founders, Katelyn’s worldview has always been rooted in giving back. Her passionate belief that anything is possible is a perspective that helps enormously as the board considers grants.
Neil Widerschein, Secretary >
Neil is in it for the long-term on protecting civil liberties – bodily autonomy, voting rights, free speech – along with supporting epilepsy research. It’s not that his wish-list for change isn’t lengthy. But decades of work in strategic branding and advertising has proven, time and again, an inextricable link between focus and real-world impact. It’s also an evaluative lens that helps create a more holistic view of grantee potential for long-term success.
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In fond memory and deepest gratitude:
Irwin Helford, Board Member Emeritus
Tom Ligouri, Board Member Emeritus