Catherine (Cat) Anderson
Executive Director
Catherine Anderson considers herself a Virginia Beach native, as she spent most of her life here, her father, who served in the Navy, was stationed in Virginia for several tours. While attending college, her grandfather was diagnosed with dementia and that’s when she knew she wanted to have a career in senior living. She wanted and still does compassionately help families through this challenging time with a progressive disease. She has a diverse skill set from serving in many roles such as Director of Social Services to Regional Director of Operations and currently as Executive Director. She leads with a servant heart and loves serving her residents, their families, and her team! When she is not at work, she can be found spending time with her husband and two small children going to various sport games and dance classes.
Tom Arnold
Senior Lifestyle Counselor
Thomas Arnold grew up in Central Pennsylvania near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He attend Swayer Business School in Pittsburgh, PA where he received his Associates Degree in Management. After graduation, Thomas worked in the rental business when an accepted a role in an Assisted Living community in Mechanicsburg, PA. He knew he found a fit as he felt like he had 60 or more grandmothers and grandfathers.
Thomas has spent the past 15 years in senior living, starting as a Business Office Director, moving in to Hospice role as Admissions Coordinator for 4 years and spent the following 7 years in three different roles, making him a great asset to the Discovery team.
Thomas is a sports lover, with interest in football, basketball, F1 racing, and golf.
Jennifer Harris-Lee
Business Office Manager
Brooke Bravo
Director of Health & Wellness
Brooke was born in Chesapeake, Virginia and spent most of her life in Virginia Beach. She graduated from Ocean Lakes High School. Brooke moved to California to complete nursing school. She has been working with seniors since 2011 in home care and hospice. In 2013, she found her niche when she started working as a Wellness Director in Assisted Living.
In nursing school, she often found herself gravitating to seniors, working part time in home health care and local nursing homes. She was especially passionate to residents whom wanted to go home, often spending time visiting with them and making them feel at home in her care. Once Brooke got her nursing degree, she worked in Hospice Care but feels as if assisted living chose her. In 2013, she was offered a job at an assisted living community and knew she was right where she is supposed to be.
Brooke met her husband while living in California and married in 2015. They have two children, daughter, Joanna and son, Juan Jr. and completed their family with a chihuahua named Sophie.
When Brooke is not at Discovery Commons, she loves spending time with her family with frequent trips to the beach and traveling to the Outer Banks each year for a family vacation. She is a Busch Gardens advocate, enjoying roller coasters among other rides.
Nicole Parsons
Memory Care Director
Anna Lego Yoakam MSW
Director of Celebrations
Anna Lego Yoakam grew up in Pennsylvania. She attended undergraduate school at Pennsylvania State University and finish her education with a graduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Anna started her career part time in the activities department, eventually becoming a full-time employee. Nearly five years into her career at the community, she became the Resident Relations Director, and has spent the last 3 years as the Director of Celebrations. She feels the most rewarding part of her career is spending time with the residents, helping them thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally, inspiring them to have their best day possible.
Anna has three adult daughters and two granddaughters. Travel is a true passion for her and does it whenever the opportunity arises. Anna also has a love of jigsaw puzzles, is a life long learner with a particular interest in natural history.
Anthony (Steve) Venery
Director of Facility Operations
Anthony grew up in Virginia Beach. He graduated from Green Run High School, later attended a trade school for home improvement. At 15 years old, Anthony started working seasonally for his father’s paint company. After high school, he went full time and made the decision to leave father’s company, when an opportunity presented itself working as a Maintenance Technician for a commercial real estate company. Anthony has always had a passion working with his hands, he can do just about everything, from rebuilding car engines to installing water heaters. He has six grown children, six dogs and three cats. As an avid bowler, he can be frequently found at the local bowling alley or fishing. Anthony is a fairly new member to the Discovery Commons management team, but remains confident that he can add value to this beautiful community.
Sarah Sarillana
Director of Culinary Services
Sarah Sarillana is a self-titled Air Force brat. She was born in California, but her family moved a lot, as her dad was stationed in Texas, Michigan, England, Nebraska and finally Virginia. Sarah graduated from Denbigh High School in Newport News and Johnson & Wales University in Norfolk. She did her culinary internship at The Trellis Restaurant in Williamsburg, VA.
Sarah has always been in the culinary field, but migrated into Senior Living through a former boss, who was working at a senior living community and reached out to her. Sarah was initially excited about the flexibility that came with the shift, but quickly fell in love with working with seniors.
Sarah is married to husband, Jason, they have a daughter, Lily, dog, Barda and cats, Bella and Daniel Tiger. Sarah spends her free time reading, doing all sorts of crafts: crochet, knit, sewing, cake decorating, building small projects, painting, and gardening. She takes pride in homeschooling her child and being a Disney adult, as well as researching the history of her nearly 100-year-old house in historic Phoebus.