We’re on a mission to reframe aging and help people thrive in midlife and beyond.

Derek Gehl

CEO

Derek Gehl is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and author whose journey has been shaped by a passion for empowering entrepreneurs and transforming lives. After building one of the world's first Internet marketing companies, the birth of his first son in 2008 sparked a pivotal realization: he wanted to create a life that balanced family, business, and personal fulfillment. This led him to sell his company and refocus on building businesses that supported his vision of being present for his children while pursuing his entrepreneurial passions.

As he entered his forties, his path evolved naturally toward helping people in midlife pursue their entrepreneurial dreams while simultaneously venturing into the health and longevity space, where from 2017 to 2024, he built numerous successful natural health supplement brands. Yet despite his success, Derek missed the direct human connection that had characterized his earlier work with entrepreneurs worldwide.

At 47, Derek and his wife of 20 years were planning their next chapter together as they prepared to launch their youngest of two sons when MEA unexpectedly entered their lives. Initially skeptical of the concept of a "midlife wisdom school" – having seen behind too many curtains in the personal development industry – his experience at MEA's Navigating Transitions workshop transformed his perspective entirely. There, he discovered something authentically different: a community of intelligent, caring individuals, each charting their unique paths through midlife's transitions.

That unexpected journey from skeptic to believer led Derek to join MEA as the CEO. Today, he leads MEA's mission to reimagine midlife and build a vibrant global pro-aging community. His unique background in entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and wellness, combined with his personal understanding of midlife transition, positions him perfectly to help expand MEA's impact while preserving the magic that makes it unique.

Gail DiBerardinis

COO

Gail DiBerardinis grew up outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Her career spans working at award-winning restaurants in Philadelphia with James Beard winning Chef Michael Solomonov to being the Director of Operations for Michelin Star Chef Javier Plascencia in San Diego and Tijuana.

More recently she worked as the General Manager of The Hotel San Cristóbal (awarded Reader’s Choice in Condé Nast Traveler for three consecutive years during her administration). Gail takes a special interest in developing and training staff as well as creating healthy environments where staff and clients alike can thrive. She is deeply invested in giving opportunities to the local community by developing and training talent from the immediate areas of the establishments she operates.

Deirdre Ryan

SVP Corporate Sales

Deirdre Ryan is a hospitality veteran with 20+ years of experience in multidisciplinary marketing and sales planning & strategy. Throughout her career, she has developed a unique skill set that is an amalgamation of strategy, revenue growth, and creativity that results in financial success and brand growth.

Before joining us at MEA, Deidre was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Ace Hotel Group, where she played a pivotal role in Ace Hotels' expansion from four small hotels to a global brand, growing the sales team from 7 to nearly 50 members by 2020 and driving revenue from $35 million in 2010 to $160 million in 2019.

As founder of her own marketing and sales consulting company, Deirdre has successfully developed and executed comprehensive marketing plans for startups, boutique luxury properties, and established brands. She specializes in orchestrating brand launches, driving market share growth, and enhancing brand awareness through integrated approaches that encompass content planning, digital campaigns, strategic partnerships, public relations, and sales planning. In the spring of 2021, she moved to magical Sante Fe with her family.

Leslie Bartlett

VP of Alumni

Leslie Bartlett, VP of Alumni, is also a certified life coach with a master’s degree in spiritual psychology, bringing a unique blend of wisdom, compassion, and insight to her work. A devoted mother to two young men, she calls Colorado home, where the mountains, open skies, and nature inspire her daily. Whether hiking, dancing to live music, or organizing gatherings that bring people together, Leslie finds joy in connection and shared experiences.

With over two decades of experience in travel and hospitality, Leslie has journeyed across the globe, amassing stories as colorful as the places she’s visited. She danced at the Brandenburg Gate as the Berlin Wall fell, rode a charging elephant in Bali, dove with sharks in crystal-clear waters, and stood in awe of Africa’s "Big Five" on safari. Her adventures have even included unexpected challenges, like being detained at a Moscow police station—a story she enjoys saving for the right moment.

Leslie’s path to the Modern Elder Academy (MEA) was as serendipitous as it was transformative. While working remotely in Todos Santos, she attended a dinner party where she met MEA Cofounder Jeff Hamaoui. Hearing Jeff describe the vision for the Midlife Wisdom School, Leslie felt an undeniable calling to be part of it. Since then, she has channeled her passion for building community, connecting people, and planning transformative events into her role at MEA as VP of Alumni.

Whether helping others navigate life transitions or dreaming up new ways to bring people together, Leslie approaches life with enthusiasm, creativity, and an unshakable belief in the power of connection. She’s honored to be part of the MEA team and excited for all the possibilities the future holds as this amazing community grows.

Alondra Peters

GM of Baja Operations

Alondra Lizbeth Albañez Peters was born in La Paz, Baja California Sur, and currently resides in El Pescadero, BCS. She is the Operations Manager at Modern Elder Academy (MEA), where she has worked for over 7 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Management and Development and a Technical Degree in Administration.

Her career began at the age of 14 as a waitress at her mother's restaurant, Ana María, which sparked her passion for service, communication, and interacting with people. This first job marked the beginning of a professional journey that combined her interest in hospitality skills.

At MEA, Alondra feels fortunate to be part of a team committed to personal growth and well-being. In her free time, she enjoys singing, spending time with her pets, and being with her family. Currently, she and her partner are building their home, a project that has brought her great joy and gratitude. Always seeking personal and professional growth, Alondra values continuous learning and the positive impact she can make through her work.

Tara Pyke

GM of Santa Fe Operations

Tara is originally from Miami, FL and began her career in hospitality at the Fontainebleau Hotel, where she worked as a front desk agent and later as a group reservations coordinator. After several years in Miami, she moved to Santa Fe in 2021, where I served as Convention Services Manager at La Posada before joining MEA in June 2024.

As General Manager of MEA Santa Fe, she oversees daily operations, ensuring that our guests have a transformative experience. She is passionate about hospitality, and her role at MEA allows her to combine her years of experience in guest relations, event coordination, and team management. What she loves most about working at MEA is the opportunity to connect with our guests and witness their personal growth over the course of their stay. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact we have on people’s lives, and she feels fortunate to make lasting friendships along the way.

Outside of work, Tara enjoys exploring the Santa Fe area, hiking, and forging for mushrooms on the ski basin.

Sue Izzo

MEA Head of Facilitation

Sue Izzo is the former female “Jerry McGuire” who founded an industry-leading sports agency and represented top Olympic athletes, X-Game medalists, World Champion surfers, ESPY winners, and television personalities, before evolving into a growth consultant and coach for business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals.

After a battle with cancer, Sue realized she was ready for a change and now she leads equine-assisted learning workshops at our workshop in Santa Fe. She has dedicated her life to helping others achieve their dreams and deeply understands what it takes to get what you want in all areas of your life.

Therese O’Neill

Facilitator Lead for MEA’s Baja Campus

Thérèse O'Neill is the Facilitator Lead for MEA's Baja campus. She is a longtime educator in California and in Mexico, volunteering with Nest Global to provide early childhood education to young asylum seekers and refugees. She holds degrees from UC Berkeley and Stanford, and has a background in trauma-informed education and psychology. She is a resident of Baja, where she writes, makes textiles and travels in her free time.

Thérèse came as a compadre to MEA in 2021 in the midst of numerous transitions and a desire to remake a life for herself in Mexico. That transformative experience led her to facilitation training with Chip and Jeff, and to living at Baja Sage, the housing community aligned with MEA principles of regenerating soul and soil.

For Thérèse, the most powerful aspect of working at MEA is being of service, co-creating magical weeks with folks seeking to move out of their comfort zone into greater meaning and purpose—or just needing a place to remember themselves and their goodness.

Along with her work at MEA, Thérèse is currently working toward an MS in Positive Psychology to grow her knowledge of new social science and best practices to serve the MEA community.

Mary Hofstedt

Facilitator Lead for MEA’s Santa Fe Campus

Mary Hofstedt is an experienced nonprofit leader and educator who strives to advance a more hopeful, caring, and connected world. Her passion for youth and community development led her to work with Challenge Success, spearhead a coalition of youth and adult partners to develop a community arts center, and serve for over a decade within Stanford University’s John W. Gardner Center.

Mary recently wrapped up a mid-career break to reflect on purpose, study Spanish, travel, and volunteer with whale shark research and conservation. She serves as a Senior Associate with Heartwise Learning and is thrilled to be based back in Santa Fe after a 22 year stint in the Bay Area.

Teddi Dean

MEA Head of Mindfulness and Movement

Teddi Dean is the Head of Mindfulness and Movement here at MEA. He offers a fun, accessible and wisdom filled approach to both mediation and yoga. Teddi loves working with beginners and has a gift in showing that each and every one of us is capable of dropping into stillness.

Teddi Dean grew up in Southern California where he was immersed in surf and skateboard culture. He was part of skateboard royalty as a team member of the infamous Powell and Peralta Bones Brigade.

Lee Johnson

Head of Land, Livestock, and Mindfulness in Santa Fe

Lee likes to say that he’s as ordinary as dirt but as complex as soil.

A former Course Director for the Colorado Outward Bound School and Certified Holistic Management Teacher, he has managed ranches in Nebraska and Tennessee as well as several ranches here in New Mexico. As steward of our four-square mile regenerative ranch, Lee translates nature’s teachings into insights that encourage us to tune into our inner landscapes as much as the outer landscape. His holistic approach to life and spirituality creates a warm invitation for you to step into a deeper relationship with yourself, nature, and each other.

You will appreciate his laidback presence and the opportunity to slow down, listen to nature, and participate in the ancient ritual of gathering around the campfire.

Lori Schwanbeck

Senior Facilitator

Lori is a passionate advocate for creating lives of meaning and engagement in both the personal and professional realms. She is a senior faculty member at Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI) at Google, where she mentors and trains teachers, and designs and facilitates both in-person and virtual mindfulness based emotional intelligence programs.

Lori holds an MA in psychology and is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, trained by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach through the Greater Good Science Center. She is currently involved in a 2-year project in Bhutan working in partnership with the Gross National Happiness initiative bringing SIYLI’s program to all levels of the Bhutanese government. She is also a curriculum contributor and facilitator at: LinkedIn, Purpose Blue, Wisdom Labs, Mindfulness Rx and the Mindfulness Training Institute, and leads nature-based mindfulness retreats here at MEA as well as the Esalen Institute and Canyon Ranch.

Laurie Hofmann MPH

MEA Content Facilitator

Laurie Hofmann is a seasoned chief executive, board chair, and healthcare visionary. She is Partner at OvationLab, the premier expert consulting agency for health care innovators, early-stage and start-up ventures. Prior to that she served for 20 years as a director, vice chair, chief executive officer, and board chairwoman for the Institute for Functional Medicine, the global leader in functional medicine with 150,000 practitioners from 96 countries.

Laurie’s 30-year track record of accomplishments in personalized public health and wellness, functional medicine, personalized nutrition, and science-based natural medicine have served to advance and significantly expand the awareness, reach, and adoption of personalized, systems-based approaches to health and medicine. She is passionate about purposefully navigating her own transitions and supporting others in their “lifequakes”.

Barb Tint

MEA Content Facilitator

Barbara Tint, Ph.D. is a social/political psychologist, university professor, global trainer and published author. She has lived all around the world, bringing an international and multicultural lens to her work. She is an expert improviser and storyteller, and brings these methods to all that she does.

Jill Nykoliation

MEA Content Facilitator

Jill Nykoliation is an award-winning business leader with 30 years of experience shaping global brands, from Fortune 100 to entrepreneurial companies.

Jill is a master of human insight. As founder and former CEO of Juniper Park\TBWA, Jill guided the brand strategy for some of the world’s most powerful brands.

For over three decades, Jill has dedicated herself to understanding why we do what we do. Her fascination with human insight was the driving force behind her co-founding a creative agency eighteen years ago – and now drives her work as a Personal Coach.

Jill now applies her deep expertise as a Personal Coach, helping people unlock their true potential and navigate pivotal moments in their lives and careers.

Through her own executive experience and study, Jill understands the beauty, complexity and wonder involved in our life journeys.

Jill coaches executives one-on-one across the globe, and facilitates workshops for corporations, YPO and MEA Wisdom school, guiding leaders toward greater clarity, confidence, and impact.