About Us
Our Story
Alfred E. Mann Charities, Inc. became active in 2016, following the passing of the organization’s benefactor, Alfred E. Mann. Throughout his life, Al was passionate about philanthropy and was dedicated to prolonging and improving the quality of human lives through innovation in the fields of healthcare and the use of medical devices. It was important to Al that his success and assets continue to better human lives even after his own passing.
Alfred E. Mann Charities, Inc. (formerly known as Alfred E. Mann Family Foundation) has similarly placed its primary focus on healthcare and medical innovation, as our organization believes this is where we can have the greatest impact on humanity and human health throughout the world. Alfred E. Mann Charities, Inc. is also dedicated to promoting arts, culture, education, and community development across Los Angeles and throughout the world in order to best serve people and this planet.
Alred E. Mann’s Legacy
Al Mann (1925-2016), was a prolific inventor who dedicated his life to utilizing technology and innovation to improve health outcomes for millions of people. Some of his most renowned accomplishments include pioneering the development of pacemakers, insulin pumps, inhalable insulin powder, and cochlear implants for the deaf.
During his lifetime, Mr. Mann founded 17 companies, all focused on bridging medicine and engineering. Altruism was a cornerstone value for Mr. Mann, and he was a member of The Giving Pledge, a group founded by Warren Buffet, and Bill and Melinda Gates, in which billionaires commit to giving away at least 50% of their net worth. It was imperative to him that even after his passing, his dedication to philanthropy would continue on, and so six years prior to his death, he established what is now Alfred E. Mann Charities.
Mr. Mann was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alfred Mann Institutes at the University of Southern California, The Technion Institute (Israel), and the Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research. Mr. Mann served as a Trustee for the University of Southern California, a member of the Board of Overseers of the Keck USC School of Medicine, and established the Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering at USC. Al Mann’s vision was to provide the necessary funding to accelerate the commercialization of bioengineering and medical inventions. In 2023, as part of the legacy gift that was made by Mr. Mann during his lifetime, the Pharmacy school was named in his honor as the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Mr. Mann received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from University of California, Los Angeles. He held honorary doctorate degrees from University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins University, Western University and the Technion Institute (Israel).
Our Leadership
Michael Dreyer, President
Michael Dreyer, CPA has served as president of Alfred E. Mann Charities since 2016. Mr. Dreyer is a senior partner at Holthouse, Carlin, Van Trigt LLP. Mr. Dreyer is a graduate of the University of Southern California and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Mr. Dreyer served on the Board of Directors of LA 2028, the organizing committee that won the rights to bring the 2028 Olympics games to Los Angeles. He is actively involved with several Los Angeles charities and community organizations, including Cedars Sinai Hospital, City of Hope, University of Southern California, and serves as a Trustee of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Foundation.
Anoosheh Bostani, CFO
Anoosheh Bostani, CPA has served as CFO and Treasurer of Alfred E. Mann Charities since 2016. Ms. Bostani served as a close advisor to Mr. Mann and as CFO and board member to many of his companies since 2001. Ms. Bostani is a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business and a master’s degree in taxation from Golden Gate University. She is actively involved with several Los Angeles non-profit organizations including Cedars Sinai Hospital, City of Hope, University of Southern California and serves as a Trustee for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Foundation.
Claude Mann, Director
Claude Mann, widow of the late Al Mann, is a philanthropist and an animal rights activist. Mrs. Mann was born in Berlin during World War II. After the war, she returned to France with her parents where she later studied arts, philosophy, and psychology at La Sorbonne. She has served on the board of various organizations including the LA Opera, the Manhattan School of Music and the Alfred Mann Institute at the Technion-Israel. Mrs. Mann also created and led fundraising efforts for the Alfred Mann Foundation and has received many honors and awards for her philanthropic work.