Leadership

Kate Sims is a healthcare executive with a proven track record of providing daily oversight and strategic management for hospital operations and community health institutions ensuring coordination with all departments to promote the delivery of safe, quality, patient care. Adept at bringing cross-functional disciplines together enhancing operational efficiencies though process improvement initiatives. Focus on change improvement programs designed to foster wellness, teamwork, growth, quality outcomes and patient experience.

Operations / Patient Experience / Data Analytics / Physician Relations / Board Relations / Quality & Safety / Financial Management / Process Improvement – LEAN / Continuity of Care / Leadership Development

Barbara Pearce joined Connecticut Hospice in January 2019 as interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ms. Pearce is currently CEO of Pearce Real Estate and is taking a sabbatical from Pearce Real Estate to devote her time to Connecticut Hospice.

She holds JD and MBA degrees, and practiced mergers and acquisitions law before joining Pearce Real Estate, assuming the Presidency in 1986. Ms. Pearce has been actively involved as a community leader in Connecticut and Greater New Haven, chairing many state and local boards, including Hospital of Saint Raphael, CBIA, Long Wharf Theatre; United Way of Greater New Haven; the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven; Artspace; and Saint Martin de Porres Academy. Additionally, she was the founder of the Women Organizing Women Political Action Committee.

Mary Gilhuly started her career in public accounting, working at a CPA firm that served many different types of nonprofit companies. She was in public accounting for nine years and then moved into the private nonprofit sector. Mary worked for three different nonprofits over the past 25 years. She is a member of the CTCPA and was awarded the inaugural CTCPA Women’s Award in 2020. Mary describes the key components of her role as CFO as being an active, engaged member of the senior management team with oversight to Finance, Billing, IT and Facilities departments.

Collaboration and problem-solving are two of Mary's biggest strengths. Like a true leader, Mary stated, "I am motivated by the opportunity to learn new things and to be a helpful team member." Outside of work, Mary is an avid UCONN men's basketball fan and has been a season ticket holder for many years. She enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family.