Leadership with a
Lifesaving Mission
Get to know the team who make it their life’s work to protect and empower our members through innovative solutions and a commitment to operational excellence.
Geoff Gross
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Geoff Gross is the founder and CEO of Medical Guardian, a leading provider of Digital Health & Safety solutions serving over 625,000 active members nationwide. With over two decades of experience in HealthTech, Geoff has built Medical Guardian into a mission-driven company focused on empowering older adults to live a life without limits. Since founding the company in 2005, he has led its growth into a nationally recognized brand, driven by a commitment to innovation, member experience, and expanding access to aging-in-place solutions.
As CEO, Geoff oversees the company’s strategic vision and leads cross-functional teams focused on product transformation, member experience, and growth across both consumer and healthcare channels. Under his leadership, Medical Guardian has launched industry-leading solutions that provide health, wellness and safety services at home and on the go, while advancing the company’s impact on aging and independent living. The company has been recognized multiple times as one of Philadelphia’s “Best Places to Work” and has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies for 13 consecutive years.
Geoff has been honored as Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) and a Glassdoor Top CEO (2018 and 2021) and was named to the “Most Admired CEOs” list by the Philadelphia Business Journal. He’s also been recognized as a “40 Under 40” by Philadelphia Business Journal, Direct Marketing News, and Smart CEO Magazine. Geoff currently serves as President of the Board for the Medical Alert Monitoring Association, the industry’s sole trade association focused on advocacy and expansion initiatives. He also serves on the board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of the Delaware Valley. He is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Farhan Mustaq, PHD, MBA, MS
Vice President of Engineering
Known for driving innovation at the intersection of software, healthcare, and connected technology, Farhan Mushtaq has built a career leading high-impact engineering initiatives across some of the industry’s most trusted organizations. He spent over a decade at Philips Healthcare (Lifeline/Connect America), where he led firmware, software, AI, V&V, and IoT development for senior living and personal emergency response systems. His leadership contributed to the creation of the Cares application, a senior care management and emergency response platform, as well as advanced machine learning models for Fall Risk and Risk of Transport Prediction. Farhan also held leadership roles at Walgreens and Health Recovery Solutions, where he drove innovation in patient engagement systems and AI-powered remote monitoring tools, including a nurse chatbot and anomaly detection systems.
As Vice President of Engineering at Medical Guardian, Farhan leads the company’s engineering and technology strategy, overseeing the development of scalable, high-impact solutions that improve patient safety, caregiver engagement, and system performance. His work supports the evolution of Medical Guardian’s remote monitoring and emergency response platforms—ensuring reliability, innovation, and continuous improvement across the company’s growing portfolio of healthcare technologies. Known for his collaborative leadership and focus on execution, Farhan fosters a culture of technical excellence and forward-thinking innovation.
Farhan holds a PhD in Data Science, an MBA, and an MS in Computer Engineering. He combines deep technical expertise with strategic insight, making him a key contributor to Medical Guardian’s mission of transforming healthcare experiences through cutting-edge technology. His work continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in connected care and intelligent health solutions.
Alex Prough
Chief Commercial Officer
Alex Prough brings over 15 years of healthcare and health technology leadership experience, with a deep focus on payer strategy, provider partnerships, and expanding access to care through innovative engagement solutions. He has led growth and commercialization efforts across home health, care management, digital pharmacy, and connected care platforms. Prior to joining Medical Guardian, Alex served as Vice President of Business Development at Truepill, where he led go-to-market strategy across health plans and employers. He also held leadership roles at Best Buy Health and was a member of the executive team at Critical Signal Technologies (CST), where he built new partnerships, scaled care delivery models, and supported CST’s successful acquisition by Best Buy.
As Chief Commercial Officer at Medical Guardian, Alex oversees the company’s healthcare strategy and leads payer, provider, and senior living partnerships. His work spans Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, D-SNPs, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), home health agencies, and senior living communities—advancing scalable, mission-driven solutions that close care gaps, improve quality performance, and support aging adults at home. He leads cross-functional teams developing remote monitoring and engagement programs that drive better outcomes and more equitable access to care for high-acuity and underserved populations.
Alex holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University, graduating cum laude. He continues his professional development through coursework in chronic care management, data security, and transitional care strategies, and has presented to healthcare leaders nationwide on member engagement, health equity, and connected care. Outside of work, Alex continues to build on his passion for expanding access to care through his involvement with Team Frank, a nonprofit that builds preschools and provides essential health resources to underserved communities across Africa—advancing both healthcare and education for future generations.
Sean Forrest
Chief Financial Officer
Most recently, Sean served as CEO of Alarm Connections, a nationwide security company headquartered in Philadelphia. His executive experience followed a 20-year career in banking, where he founded and grew two large specialty lending groups focused on recurring revenue businesses, first at LaSalle Bank (now Bank of America) and later at The Private Bank (now CIBC).
Sean is a strategic and team-oriented leader known for his transparency, a commitment that builds trust, solid relationships, and strong results. He received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois and holds a master’s in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management. His extensive financial leadership experience adds to a talented leadership team at Medical Guardian pursuing exciting growth opportunities.
Robert Smedley
Chief Sales Officer
Robert Smedley is a results-driven sales leader with more than two decades of experience building and scaling Inside Sales organizations that prioritize performance, trust, and connection. With a strong foundation in call center operations and a deep understanding of consumer behavior, he has consistently developed top-tier sales teams that deliver measurable impact. Prior to joining Medical Guardian, Robert served as Vice President of Sales and Telephony at Nutrisystem, where his leadership helped grow the business from $38 million to over $800 million in annual revenue in just four years. His approach blends strategic oversight with hands-on leadership to drive meaningful growth.
As Chief Sales Officer, Robert leads Medical Guardian’s Sales and Member Retention teams—specializing in consultative, high-impact engagement with prospective members and their families. His team is responsible for helping individuals navigate their options and select the device and service that best aligns with their lifestyle, health needs, and home environment. Under Robert’s leadership, the sales organization is grounded in empathy, urgency, and a deep understanding of what it means to support aging adults and those who care for them. The result is a personalized experience that drives long-term satisfaction and strengthens the company’s direct-to-consumer business.
Robert holds a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University and completed the Executive Development Program at the Wharton School of Business. He is also a Certified Call Center Manager through the RCCP Professional Education Alliance. His commitment to coaching, team empowerment, and continuous growth ensures that every member interaction is backed by a knowledgeable, thoughtful, and mission-driven sales organization.
Matthew Guerrieri
Chief Marketing Officer
Matt Guerrieri is a seasoned marketing leader with over 15 years of experience driving growth across the direct-to-consumer and healthcare sectors. He began his career at Digitas Health as a media planner, developing innovative campaigns and partnerships that connected brands with the right audiences. Since then, Matt has held progressive leadership roles focused on marketing strategy, channel expansion, and brand development—delivering measurable results across both high-growth and mission-driven organizations. He combines a sharp understanding of performance marketing with a proven ability to architect customer journeys that convert, retain, and build lasting brand loyalty.
Since joining Medical Guardian in 2013, Matt has grown through several leadership roles to become Chief Marketing Officer. He leads all aspects of brand, digital acquisition, healthcare marketing, and member analytics—ensuring every initiative is powered by data, rooted in behavioral insight, and aligned to business outcomes. Matt has been instrumental in launching new growth channels, scaling campaigns, and building trusted partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. His focus is on reimagining how the company engages aging adults, caregivers, and care partners—creating meaningful experiences that inspire confidence and support independent living. With a passion for marketing and a drive to redefine how society perceives aging and care for older adults, Matt is helping shape a more accessible and empowering future for aging-in-place solutions.
Matt holds a degree in Marketing from The Ohio State University and was recognized as one of Philadelphia’s 40 Under 40 for his leadership and impact. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and often turns to creative outlets to stay energized and inspired. He is a passionate advocate for caregivers and aging adults, known for his thoughtful leadership, team-first approach, and ability to turn big ideas into real results.
Jennifer Sali
Vice President, Member Support
Jennifer Sali brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in member care and contact center operations, with a foundation in financial services and insurance. Her expertise spans direct-to-member support, partner channel service, and workforce strategy—always guided by a passion for delivering meaningful, high-quality experiences. At Transamerica, she held senior leadership roles across Customer Sales and Service, Claims Support, and Workforce Management—leading multi-site, multi-brand operations that supported Medicare Supplement, life, accident, and health products. She has also held key roles at Allianz, CIGNA, and Jackson National Life, where she built service teams, optimized operations, and championed member-first strategies that strengthened engagement and retention.
As Vice President of Member Support at Medical Guardian, Jennifer leads the teams responsible for serving as both the face of the organization and the elevation of the voice of our members. With deep operational insight and a people-first philosophy, she drives the delivery of consistent, compassionate, and high-impact service experiences across every touchpoint. Her ability to lead teams, implement service innovations, and deliver measurable outcomes has contributed to Medical Guardian’s 95% post-call CSAT—a reflection of the trust, satisfaction, and peace of mind members experience every day.
Jennifer holds an Associate of Arts degree from Lansing College with a focus in business management and has completed extensive leadership development programs throughout her career. She is also a 17+ year breast cancer survivor and active advocate, participating regularly in events that support awareness, research, and community care. Her resilience, empathy, and dedication to helping others are reflected in every aspect of her leadership and in her ongoing commitment to Medical Guardian’s mission.
Howard Teicher
Senior Vice President, Senior Living and Channel Partners
Howard Teicher brings over 20 years of experience in the Medical Alert and Life Safety industries and has a proven track record of building strong healthcare-based partnerships. Early in his career, he served as a consultant in the healthcare, security, and PERS industries, where he provided valuable insights into product manufacturing, Mobile PERS innovation, marketing strategies, and sales growth initiatives for top-tier companies. His work has been recognized by respected brands such as Honeywell, General Electric, and First Alert for his contributions to business growth and partnership strategy.
Since joining Medical Guardian, Howard has spearheaded the growth of the company’s Channel Partner business—establishing more than 67 national partners and securing well over 80% of the market share. Now serving as Senior Vice President of both Senior Living and Channel Partners, he leads the company’s dealer and affiliate operations and drives its rapid expansion into the senior living market. Howard also plays a central role in launching new hardware and SaaS-based solutions under the MGLiving umbrella, while advancing Medical Guardian’s healthcare programs to support hospitals, long-term care facilities, and assisted and independent living communities.
Howard studied at the University of Virginia and received a Future Business Leaders of America grant that sparked his entrepreneurial journey—opening his own bicycle shop and fueling his passion for cycling and competitive dirt bike racing. He now dedicates time to charitable causes, especially organizations focused on providing shelter, food, and clothing to those in need. He also leads Operation Frosty, one of Medical Guardian’s largest community outreach programs, which distributes over 1,000 winter clothing items annually to neighbors in need. Howard’s genuine love for helping others and his dedication to the mission are reflected in everything he does.
Eliza Salerno
Chief Operating Officer
With a track record of leading complex operations and cross-functional teams, Eliza Salerno has spent more than a decade building scalable systems and driving strategic growth across the healthcare industry. Her background in operations and project management includes senior roles in healthcare organizations, where she led large-scale initiatives and enterprise transformation. Her experience has equipped her with a strong foundation in scaling infrastructure and aligning teams around shared goals in dynamic, mission-driven environments.
As Chief Operating Officer at Medical Guardian, Eliza oversees core operational functions including fulfillment, product development, technology, human resources, compliance, and project management. She has led the successful integration of multiple acquisitions and continues to streamline and scale internal operations to support long-term growth. Eliza plays a key role in advancing innovation across the organization—ensuring that every new initiative is backed by strong execution and delivers meaningful value. Her leadership drives the development of systems and services that empower aging adults to live independently, confidently, and safely.
Eliza earned her degree cum laude from Rutgers University and is a certified Agile Project Management Professional (PMP). She was recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree for her leadership and impact in healthcare. Eliza is also a member of the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation (WBL), a national nonprofit that connects senior executive women to build relationships, advance their careers, and shape the future of health care.
Jennifer Fernandez
Vice President, People & Compliance
With a focus on building inclusive, high-performing organizations, Jennifer Fernandez has led Human Resources functions across fast-growing companies for more than 15 years. Her background spans a range of industries—including life sciences, SaaS, and data analytics—where she has helped companies navigate transformation through thoughtful talent strategy and people-centered culture-building. Prior to joining Medical Guardian, Jennifer held senior HR roles supporting multi-site and global teams, where she led the development of scalable people programs grounded in employee empowerment and data-informed decision-making.
At Medical Guardian, Jennifer serves as Vice President of People & Compliance, where she leads the company’s talent and culture strategy and helps shape a workplace that reflects its mission and values. She oversees efforts across talent acquisition, employee development, retention, and engagement—driving initiatives that support continuous learning, leadership development, and long-term growth. Jennifer also leads core HR programs related to organizational design and change management, and she plays a key role in guiding M&A integration efforts. On the compliance front, she ensures adherence to labor laws, internal policies, and regulatory standards critical to Medical Guardian’s partnerships with healthcare organizations. Her work creates an environment where people thrive and are empowered to deliver exceptional service to members and partners alike.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from La Salle University and has dedicated the majority of her career to supporting organizations across the Greater Philadelphia region. Her passion for people, culture, and ethical leadership continues to guide Medical Guardian’s approach to building a supportive and inclusive workplace.
Chandi Gracey, MS
Senior Vice President, Member Experience
Chandi Gracey brings more than 15 years of proven leadership in operational excellence, digital transformation, and customer-centric innovation. She has held key leadership roles at SamaCare, Human Interest, Stripe/Helm Services, and SoFi, where she drove initiatives in call center optimization, omnichannel communication, and AI-powered service enhancements. Her strategic focus on data-backed decision-making has consistently improved service standards, reduced operational costs, and elevated member satisfaction across fast-paced, high-growth organizations.
As Senior Vice President of Member Experience at Medical Guardian, Chandi leads the strategy and execution of the end-to-end member journey. She oversees service delivery, engagement, and retention, ensuring that each member interaction reflects the company’s commitment to compassion, support, and innovation. Known for her collaborative, team-first approach, Chandi has built and scaled cross-functional teams while implementing advanced analytics and process improvements that deliver measurable efficiency and performance gains. Her leadership supports Medical Guardian’s mission to empower aging adults and their caregivers with exceptional care and service.
Chandi holds a Master of Science in Finance from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Communications. A certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, she brings a disciplined, data-driven mindset to continuous improvement and customer journey mapping. Her passion for innovation and operational excellence helps ensure Medical Guardian remains a leader in delivering personalized, high-impact member experiences.
Bryan Johnson, MSM, CISM, CSM
Vice President of Information Technology & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Throughout his career in Information Technology, Bryan Johnson has led large-scale infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives that support secure, scalable growth. With more than 25 years of experience across highly regulated industries, he has overseen complex IT operations, application development, and systems integration. Prior to joining Medical Guardian, Bryan held a senior leadership role at The American College of Financial Services, where he directed the implementation of a new financial ERP platform, a full-scale CRM migration, and multiple data integrations supporting B2B partnerships. His ability to align technology with business objectives has been a consistent driver of operational excellence and long-term performance.
As Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Security Officer at Medical Guardian, Bryan leads enterprise IT strategy, infrastructure, and cyber risk management. His team is responsible for protecting the company’s digital ecosystem and maintaining security protocols that safeguard member data and ensure system integrity. Working across departments and with external partners, Bryan supports the secure delivery of digital tools and platforms that enable innovation, enhance performance, and build member trust.
Bryan holds a Master of Science in Management (MSM) and certifications including Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). His thoughtful, solutions-oriented leadership continues to strengthen Medical Guardian’s technology foundation, supporting the safety, privacy, and reliability that members and partners depend on every day.