Charlotte leader elected to Alzheimer’s Association National Board of Directors

The Alzheimer’s Association has elected Charlotte leader and Alzheimer’s Association – Western Carolina Chapter board member, Michael O’Leary to its national Board of Directors.

O’Leary joins the 25-member, volunteer governing board in steering the strategic direction of the Association as it carries out its mission to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

O’Leary currently serves as office managing partner for Ernst & Young (EY) in Charlotte, leading 2,200 professionals across all service lines. He is also responsible for EY’s go-to-market strategy across 73 U.S. offices. Throughout his career, O’Leary has held various U.S. and global leadership roles at EY, working across six continents and living in Buffalo and Rochester, New York; Chicago; Minneapolis; and Charlotte.

His decision to join the Alzheimer’s Association Board is deeply personal. O’Leary’s mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s when he was in high school. Since then, he has been a passionate advocate for the Association’s mission, serving on chapter boards in Upstate New York, Minneapolis and Charlotte, and actively supporting the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement.

O’Leary will serve a two-year term on the national board.

“I am grateful and excited about the opportunity to join the Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors,” O’Leary said. “This is such an energizing time for the organization as positive momentum and impact continues as we work together to change the course of this devastating disease for individuals, caregivers, families, and future generations.”

A certified public accountant, O’Leary is a graduate of Canisius University and has completed the Strategic Management program at Harvard Business School. He brings expertise in financial reporting, corporate governance and risk management, and has served numerous nonprofit boards throughout his career.

“We are pleased to welcome Mike to the Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors,” said Minoo Javanmardian, Ph.D., chair, Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors. “His expertise, leadership and personal connection to our mission will be invaluable as we work toward a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”

More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, including more than 210,000 in North Carolina. Alzheimer’s is a leading cause of death in the United States and one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research and the leading advocacy organization for people affected by the disease. The Association works with policymakers nationwide to address the growing public health crisis, securing increased funding for research at the National Institutes of Health and advancing legislation such as the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.