Meet Our Team

Meridee Watt

Executive Director

Executive Director Meridee Watt brings over 36 years of diverse senior living industry experience to her role at Rittenhouse Village. A proud graduate of the University of Illinois, she began her career as a Certified Nurse’s Aide before expanding into other roles including Activities Director, Marketing Director and Memory Care Director before becoming assuming her first executive leadership role some 20 years ago.

Driven by the desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of resident seniors each and every day, Meridee leads and empowers the team at Rittenhouse Village to work together in partnership and alongside residents and families, leveraging collective efforts to deliver a rich and satisfying way of life that’s the hallmark of daily living in our community.

Savannah Ayres

Director of Celebrations

Director of Celebrations Savannah Ayres is a passionate event planner whose experience includes service to both public and private institutions, as well as non-profit organizations. A native of Western New York, she is a recent graduate from the University of Indianapolis, where she received a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Communication with an emphasis in public relations.

Savannah says that connecting with residents of the community and sharing life stories and memories across generations is one of the most fun and rewarding facets of each day. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to her favorite podcasts, as well as exploring Indiana and experiencing the many diverse social, cultural and other opportunities that await throughout the state and region.

James Hendrickson

Director of Facility Operations

Director of Facility Operations James Hendrickson brings more than 20 years of healthcare industry and facility management experience to his role with our community. He previously held a regional operations position before making the move to Rittenhouse Village, and cited the “second paycheck”—the satisfaction that comes from making a positive impact in the lives of real people in and around a community—as his motivation for pursuing and accepting the role.
Outside of work, Jim is a proud family man and husband. He and his wife have been married for 14 years, and have two children, Sophia and Ryland.

Dawanda Donaldson-Gray

Business Office Manager

Business Office Manager Dawanda Donaldson-Gray has served the healthcare field throughout her career, which spans more than 24 years. She is a certified Medical Biller and Coder, and through her work at Rittenhouse Village, helps coordinate Medicare, VA and other benefits on behalf of eligible residents. 

A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Dawanda attended Davenport Business College in Grand Rapids, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. Continuing her pursuit of knowledge and education to this day, she will soon earn a Masters in that same field.  

Outside of work, she is a devoted mother to her two sons, Hebert Gray III and Dawan. The family enjoys spending time together, as well as with their four-legged members, a dog, Bubbles, and a cat, Shadow Lorraine.

Outside of work, Angela is a devoted wife to her husband, Dennis. The couple has 5 children, ranging in age from 10 to 24. They enjoy family time with the children, as well as their 2 granddaughters, Marley and Lilah, and their beloved dog, a pug named Stella.

Angela Pauley

Senior Lifestyle Counselor

Senior Lifestyle Counselor Angela Pauley brings to Rittenhouse Village 18 years of extensive healthcare and senior living industry experience. Angela earned her Associate’s Degree from Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods in Kansas City, Missouri, before embarking upon a career serving hospital patients and residential care community residents at several well-known and widely-respected locations throughout the Midwest. Now with Rittenhouse Village since 2018, she enjoys helping seniors and families make the most of the amenities, service offerings and exclusive lifestyle programs that typify life here in our community.

Outside of work, Angela is a devoted wife to her husband, Dennis. The couple has 5 children, ranging in age from 10 to 24. They enjoy family time with the children, as well as their 2 granddaughters, Marley and Lilah, and their beloved dog, a pug named Stella.

Aaron McCormick

Director of Culinary Services

Director of Culinary Services Aaron McCormick has devoted his career to pleasing dining patrons, which today include all who live and work at Rittenhouse Village At Northside. A culinary professional for more than 17 years, Aaron brings to our community a commitment to fresh, local ingredients, menu quality and accommodating the unique tastes and preferences of the resident population.

Outside of work, Aaron is a proud husband to his wife, Nicole. The couple resides in Indianapolis.