Dr. Mark Bergel has served as the Executive Director of A Wider Circle for all ten years of its existence, bringing to his position a high level of energy and enthusiasm as well as considerable knowledge and experience in the field. Prior to founding A Wider Circle in 2001, Mark spent 15 years managing health and wellness initiatives and serving as a part-time faculty member at American University. He is a nationally acclaimed speaker in the fields of poverty, health, and social connection and has been featured on national television and radio programs. Mark earned a BA from Northwestern University and went on to receive both Masters and Doctoral degrees from American University. In 2010, Mark received the Essence of Leadership Award at the Greater DC Cares Business and Nonprofit Philanthropy Summit. He has previously received the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region's Linowes Leadership Award, which was created to recognize "unsung heroes" in the community who "quietly and tirelessly work to make the metropolitan Washington area a better place to live."