Mary McCall
Mary McCall is a seasoned expert in human development and aging, with a career spanning over 40 years in higher education, research, and community-based consulting. She earned her PhD in Human Development and Aging from the University of California, San Francisco, following a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from UC Davis. Mary began her professional journey as a professor of psychology and ethnic studies, teaching developmental psychology and aging, conducting research, and mentoring students at Saint Mary’s and Fielding Graduate University. Over the years, she also held administrative and diversity-focused roles, contributing to faculty development and organizational growth in higher education.
Today, Mary serves as a death doula, coach, and consultant at M-Powered Coaching & Consulting in Morrison, Colorado. She works with individuals, families, and care circles to navigate middle- and late-life challenges, including advance care planning, housing and care arrangements, grief, and bereavement. Trained through INELDA as a death doula and certified as a life coach, she empowers her clients to make values-based decisions, ensuring quality of life while embracing the realities of aging and end-of-life care. Her approach emphasizes emotional presence, informed choice, and compassionate support for both individuals and their loved ones.
Mary’s work is driven by a deep belief in the dignity and beauty of life’s final stages, shaped in part by personal experiences with family illness and death. She supports clients through practical, emotional, and spiritual guidance, helping families process grief, reduce anxiety, and focus on meaningful connections. Beyond individual coaching, she continues to consult on aging services, research design, diversity, and inclusion, drawing on her extensive international experience. Mary’s philosophy blends lifelong learning, cognitive flexibility, and an emotional toolkit for coping, making her a trusted guide in both aging and end-of-life journeys.
• Certified Values Coach
• Certified Life Coach
• Certified Death Doula
• University of California, San Francisco - PhD
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to approach aging and death with openness, presence, and compassion. I hope to help people face these experiences with less fear and more dignity, leaving a legacy of supportive education and care. Embrace curiosity, cultivate both cognitive and emotional flexibility, and develop a variety of coping strategies rather than depending on just one. By doing so, you can provide meaningful guidance and create a lasting, positive impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the widespread fear and avoidance of death, which can prevent meaningful end-of-life experiences. The greatest opportunity lies in shifting these perspectives—encouraging acceptance, presence, and compassion—so that individuals and families can approach this stage of life with greater understanding and dignity.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my work and personal life are compassion, presence, lifelong learning, emotional resilience, and a deep commitment to community service. I also place great importance on curiosity and cognitive flexibility, which I see as essential to healthy aging. My approach is inspired by my parents and shaped by my experience in diversity and faculty development, allowing me to support others with understanding, adaptability, and care.
Locations
McCall Coaching & Consulting, LLC
Iowa City, IA 52240