National Benefit Fund Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

National Benefit Fund has 6 executives leading key functions including operations, financial strategy, information technology, organizational management, marketing, and labor relations.

Committed to supporting healthcare workers, National Benefit Fund delivers comprehensive pension, health, and educational benefits to ensure long-term security for hundreds of thousands of members across the nation.

Leadership Roles at National Benefit Fund

  • Chief Financial Officer - Mercedes Mambru
  • Chief Operating Officer - Bonnie Mallonga
  • President, The Benefit Fund Staff Association - Darlene Coor
  • Chief Information Officer - Charles Ottomanelli
  • Chief of Staff - Chris Burford
  • Deputy Chief Marketing Officer - Lela Mayers
  • Mercedes Mambru - Chief Financial Officer

    Mercedes Mambru, the Chief Financial Officer at National Benefit Fund, manages the fiscal health of the largest labor-management funds in the healthcare sector. Overseeing multi-billion dollar pension and benefit portfolios, the Chief Financial Officer architects long-term investment strategies to secure retirement outcomes for 400,000 members. This leadership role requires constant collaboration with the Board to ensure compliance with federal insurance regulations. By monitoring market trends and fund performance, Mercedes Mambru protects the financial interests of healthcare workers across the nation. Mambru drives fiscal transparency and accountability, ensuring that every dollar contributes to the sustainability of health and educational benefits. Through precise budget management and risk assessment, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the solvency of the funds. Mambru secures the economic future of the membership by implementing robust financial controls and strategic asset allocation.
    Mercedes Mambru

    Bonnie Mallonga - Chief Operating Officer

    Bonnie Mallonga, the Chief Operating Officer at National Benefit Fund, directs the daily administrative functions required to support 400,000 healthcare workers. Overseeing the delivery of pension and health benefits, the Chief Operating Officer ensures operational efficiency across all labor-management programs. This leadership role involves coordinating complex service workflows to maintain high standards for members throughout the United States. By streamlining internal processes, Bonnie Mallonga optimizes the distribution of child care and educational resources. Mallonga manages cross-departmental initiatives to improve service accessibility for retired and active healthcare personnel. Through rigorous oversight of fund administration, the Chief Operating Officer guarantees that every benefit reaches eligible families without delay. This focus on operational excellence strengthens the overall stability of the organization while supporting the diverse needs of the 1199SEIU membership base.

    Darlene Coor - President, The Benefit Fund Staff Association

    Darlene Coor, the President, The Benefit Fund Staff Association at National Benefit Fund, represents the interests of the staff dedicated to serving 400,000 healthcare workers. Overseeing labor relations and internal staff development, the President, The Benefit Fund Staff Association ensures that the workforce remains motivated to deliver high-quality pension and health benefits. This leadership role involves negotiating workplace standards that support the mission of the organization. By fostering a collaborative environment, Darlene Coor aligns staff performance with the needs of 1199SEIU members. Coor manages the relationship between the association and the executive leadership to ensure operational stability. Through proactive advocacy for staff resources, the President, The Benefit Fund Staff Association improves the efficiency of benefit administration. Coor drives professional growth initiatives, ensuring that the team possesses the skills necessary to support the complex requirements of the healthcare industry.

    Charles Ottomanelli - Chief Information Officer

    Charles Ottomanelli, the Chief Information Officer at National Benefit Fund, directs the digital infrastructure supporting comprehensive benefit administration for 400,000 healthcare workers. Overseeing the modernization of data systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures secure access to pension, health, and training records for all members. This leadership role involves implementing advanced cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive member information across the United States. By integrating new software solutions, Charles Ottomanelli improves the speed and accuracy of benefit processing. Ottomanelli manages the technical teams responsible for maintaining the stability of the digital platforms used by 1199SEIU families. Through the deployment of scalable cloud technologies, the Chief Information Officer enhances the overall user experience for retired and active healthcare personnel. Ottomanelli drives digital transformation to ensure that the organization remains at the forefront of efficient, technology-driven benefit delivery.

    Chris Burford - Chief of Staff

    Chris Burford, the Chief of Staff at National Benefit Fund, coordinates strategic initiatives across the executive leadership team to support 400,000 healthcare workers. Overseeing internal communications and organizational alignment, the Chief of Staff ensures that all departments execute the mission of providing high-quality pension and health benefits. This leadership role involves managing high-priority projects that impact the long-term growth of the organization. By facilitating collaboration between the Benefit, Pension, and Training Funds, Chris Burford optimizes the delivery of services to 1199SEIU members. Burford manages the flow of information to the Board, ensuring that strategic decisions reflect the needs of the healthcare workforce. Through effective project management and cross-functional leadership, the Chief of Staff maintains organizational focus on member security. Burford drives operational cohesion, allowing the organization to respond effectively to the evolving demands of the healthcare industry.

    Lela Mayers - Deputy Chief Marketing Officer

    Lela Mayers, the Deputy Chief Marketing Officer at National Benefit Fund, directs outreach strategies to inform 400,000 healthcare workers about available pension, health, and educational benefits. Overseeing member engagement campaigns, the Deputy Chief Marketing Officer ensures that 1199SEIU families understand the value of their comprehensive benefit packages. This leadership role involves developing targeted communication materials that highlight job security and child care resources. By analyzing member feedback, Lela Mayers refines the messaging to increase participation in training and educational programs. Mayers manages the brand presence of the funds, ensuring consistent communication across all regional operations. Through data-driven marketing initiatives, the Deputy Chief Marketing Officer expands awareness of the benefits provided at little or no cost. Mayers drives member satisfaction by simplifying complex benefit information, ensuring that every healthcare worker feels supported and informed throughout their career.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding National Benefit Fund Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads National Benefit Fund?
    National Benefit Fund is led by Mercedes Mambru (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Bonnie Mallonga (Chief Operating Officer) and Darlene Coor (President, The Benefit Fund Staff Association).
    Who is part of National Benefit Fund’s executive team?
    The executive team of National Benefit Fund includes leaders such as Mercedes Mambru (Chief Financial Officer), Bonnie Mallonga (Chief Operating Officer), Darlene Coor (President, The Benefit Fund Staff Association) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does National Benefit Fund have?
    National Benefit Fund has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in National Benefit Fund’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of National Benefit Fund includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, The Benefit Fund Staff Association, Chief Information Officer, Chief of Staff.