Andy Peat is a visionary with a rich background in product innovation, operational management, business expansion, and nearly 20 years of leadership experience in the fitness industry. He spent a couple of years refining his strategic and management skills as the Chief Product Officer at Lift Brands, before pivoting to expand upon his leadership skills and passion for fitness as the CEO of Fitness On Demand.
With 25 years of experience in fitness and wellness, I bring a deep and broad knowledge of the industry, helping individuals and businesses achieve their goals. Nearly two decades in sales have refined my ability to connect with partners and customers, ensuring a consultative approach that prioritizes long-term success over short-term transactions. My strategy is built on trust, collaboration, and tailored solutions, aligning the right products and services with each client’s unique needs. Whether working with individuals striving for peak performance or organizations seeking impactful wellness solutions, I focus on building lasting relationships that drive results.
Before founding The Sales Arms, Chris Appiah was VP of Sales for a major boutique fitness franchisee, boosting studio membership by 500% and revenue from $25K to $65K monthly. With over a decade of fitness industry expertise, Chris now leads The Sales Arms, supporting 500+ studios and 100+ clients. He also founded NOBLE, a boutique training studio, and Helios, an SMS software company.
Eric is a Partner in McKinsey's Montreal office and leads McKinsey’s Fitness & Wellness group globally. He brings varied experience helping consumer-facing companies including in Fitness build strategies (including branding and innovation) or strengthen their value propositions (including advanced analytics) to accelerate growth. Eric has also built new businesses from scratch, acting as initial GM, both with clients and prior to McKinsey, and has led enterprise-wide transformations across industries including Fitness & Wellness, food, consumer goods and Financial Services.
Liz Clark is the Health & Fitness Association's first female president and chief executive officer in the association's 40-year history. She joined Health & Fitness Association (then called IHRSA) at a critical time for the fitness industry and the association, and she is well-equipped to double down on advocacy and communication efforts. A self-described "Energizer Bunny" and well-regarded Beltway presence, Liz is focused on making HFA known in Washington, D.C.
Prior to joining the HFA in 2021, Liz spent 10 years spearheading government relations and advocacy at the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the trade association for the $44 billion candy industry. During her time there, she directed the CandyPAC and was chief liaison and strategist with the White House, Congress, and government agencies. Among her notable accomplishments, Liz successfully lobbied to have confection manufacturing deemed "essential" during the pandemic. In 2016, she worked with congressional partners to develop the Congressional Candy Caucus and created a robust state government affairs program for the NCA.
Before her time at NCA, Liz was an executive director at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She was the world’s largest business federation representative on trade and ran trade outreach. During that time, she testified numerous times before Congress in an effort to support and pass international trade agreements. She also worked closely with former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to educate the business community on the importance of having a robust education system. Her focus was engaging and educating both lawmakers and the business community around trade and their role in public education, respectively. Liz previously worked at the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) where she lobbied state and federal governments. She also directed NPCA’s chemical security committee, served as a liaison, and ran an environmental, health, and safety program.
Liz is a lifelong athlete whose commitment to fitness included rowing crew as an undergraduate at the University of Dayton, where she graduated with a B.A. in communications. She received a master of arts in international commerce and policy from George Mason University. Liz lives in Arlington, VA, with her husband, three children, and English bulldog.
In search of life’s [im]perfect soundtrack, Brandon brings an edgy approach to entrepreneurship through the valuable experience he’s earned as a professional athlete turned business owner. Brandon hosts the entrepreneurial inspired podcast, Playing Guilty, and is the Co-Founder and Chief Concept Officer of MADabolic - the industry leaders in barbell-free strength & conditioning.
Ali has spent the last 20 years designing growth strategies while leveraging corporate partnerships and collaborating with top thought leaders, C-levels, and founders. She creates programs with the world’s top experts in science, health, longevity, technology, and personal development – all while serving some of the most innovative and forward-thinking leaders and brands in the space. Ali also connects clients to the most cutting edge and sought-after top treatments and protocols for longevity and the pursuit of youth and vitality.
She invests in healthspan focused ventures. She has been an active part of a number of exits for her own company and her clients.
Ali earned an MBA and an ME while building her first company. She is an Explorers Club member, and an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She has been a guest lecturer at Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University and speaks at events in the United States and on the international stage alongside top experts in cutting-edge diagnostics, treatments, and protocols in health and longevity.
In her former filmmaking life, Ali lived in conflict zones and avalanche zones working with Nobel Peace Prize winners, relief aid organizations, and building schools for communities in need.
Noah Glantz is an Associate at Korn Ferry where he helps lead Korn Ferry’s Sports Global Practice and has played a pivotal role in leading executive search engagements across the international sports ecosystem. Noah specializes in identifying and placing transformative C-suite leaders across professional sports leagues, teams, governing bodies, media entities, and sports-adjacent businesses. Drawing on Korn Ferry’s proprietary methodologies and global network, Noah manages the full lifecycle of the search process, from client consultation and role definition to candidate sourcing, evaluation, and placement. He is deeply attuned to the evolving leadership needs of the sports industry and is passionate about helping organizations secure the executive talent necessary to drive performance, growth, and innovation.
Prior to specializing in executive search, Noah began his career in HR consulting, where he led large-scale organizational transformation initiatives for global clients. His work focused on developing competency frameworks, driving culture change, and navigating complex change management efforts—giving him a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how leadership, structure, and culture intersect to shape high-performing organizations. With a blend of deep talent advisory experience and strategic insight, Noah brings a thoughtful, outcome-driven approach to helping clients navigate leadership transitions and build resilient organizations.
Noah attended Trinity College (CT) where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish.
Ashley Koff, RD is the founder of The Better Nutrition Program (BNP), Nutrition Director for UC Irvine’s Susan Samueli Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship, and author of the upcoming book, Your Best Shot (Harper One, January 6, 2026). A practitioner for over 25 years, Koff is leading a transformative movement in personalized nutrition, turning “better, not perfect” choices into practical, sustainable strategies that deliver real health outcomes. Through patient stories and personal experience, she shows that optimal health is not just possible—it’s essential to living your fullest life. Koff has been recognized as one of CNN’s Top 100 Health Makers, featured in InStyle as “Hollywood’s Leading Dietitian,” and as Westin’s Global Nutrition Ambassador.
Alejandro Bataller is a visionary business leader, internationally recognized for shaping the future of wellness and luxury hospitality. He holds a degree in Market Research and Techniques from the Pontifical University of Comillas (ICADE) and a degree in Business Studies from the University of Alicante (UA). He completed his executive education at Harvard Business School with a program in Business Management.
Born in Argentina to Spanish Italian parents, Alejandro’s passion for entrepreneurship emerged at an early age. Before joining the family enterprise, he gained valuable experience in two of the world’s most competitive industries: international banking at the Royal Bank of Scotland in London, and luxury retail with Louis Vuitton, focusing on business development, marketing, and strategy. In 2007, Alejandro took on the challenge of launching SHA under the AB Living group. Today, SHA stands as the undisputed global leader in integrative health and longevity, celebrated by the international press and awarded more than 100 prestigious accolades, including World’s Best Wellness Clinic (World Spa Awards) and Best Medical Spa International (Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler).
Driven by a mission to transform lives, SHA has welcomed over 70,000 guests— among them CEOs, members of royal families, heads of state, and world-renowned personalities—helping them achieve measurable improvements in health, longevity, and overall wellbeing. Building on this success, Alejandro is spearheading SHA’s global expansion: SHA Mexico opened in Costa Mujeres (Quintana Roo) in Spring 2024, and SHA Emirates, the world’s first “healthy living island”, will debut in Abu Dhabi in 2027. A new, innovative wellness brand is also set to be unveiled soon.
Within the AB Living group, Alejandro also leads the luxury hospitality division, often combined with branded residences, where the company acts as investor, developer, and asset manager. These projects create soulful destinations in exceptional settings, developed in partnership with some of the world’s most iconic luxury hospitality brands, including The Luxury Collection, St.Regis, and Ritz-Carlton.
Alejandro’s leadership and entrepreneurial vision have earned him prestigious accolades such as Entrepreneur of the Year (Gentleman Spain) and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Spanish Association of Young Entrepreneurs). Deeply committed to education, he serves as an associate professor at Instituto de Empresa (IE) and is a sought-after speaker at leading international forums on luxury, tourism, and wellness.
Adrian Heffernan is the Vice President, Customer Experience at Les Mills US, a global leader in group fitness and wellness supporting thousands of customers in over 100 markets.
At Les Mills US he leads business development and customer success - and has spearheaded the go to market for Les Mills' innovation for both live and digital channels to drive engagement, retention, and operational excellence for Club operators. Adrian is based in California, and with roots in exercise science is passionate about helping people move and delivering Les Mills' mission to create a fitter planet.
Scott Marcaccio is the co-founder and CEO of Myo, a modern physical therapy brand designed to futureproof your body. With over 20 locations across major markets, including Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, and New York City, Myo's best-in-class clinicians deliver more than 250,000 personalized one-on-one sessions every single year through their proprietary FutureProof Method, helping people discover how their bodies can—and should—move. Leading today’s conversation around proactive body care, Myo partners with global brands like Nike, Equinox, and Lululemon to amplify its mission of raising body IQ globally.
Daniel Mazini is the Executive Vice President of Partnerships and New Business at Wellhub. He is a business and product leader with over 23 years of experience in the internet, online retail, and consulting sectors. He spent more than 14 years at Amazon, where he led the launch and expansion of Amazon.com.br, helping to scale the business from its inception and becoming president of Amazon.com.br in 2021. He is a graduate of the State University of Rio de Janeiro and holds an MBA from the London Business School. An active diversity advocate, Daniel is also an ambassador for CoPai, a coalition that promotes the expansion of parental leave in Brazil.
Jarron Aizen is the founder and CEO of Hapana, a leading fitness software platform empowering ambitious fitness businesses to accelerate growth and deliver exceptional member experiences. A seasoned industry veteran, he bootstrapped Hapana into a global force now serving thousands of clients across 17 countries, processing billions in transactions over the past decade. Under his leadership, the company recently secured a $17 million capital raise to fuel expansion, doubling its team size in the last year alone. Jarron’s hands-on expertise in product development, operations, and scaling continues to drive Hapana’s success as a critical tool for ambitious fitness businesses worldwide. When he’s off-duty, Jarron can be found spending time with his family and hitting the slopes.
Dr. Domenic Iacovone is a serial entrepreneur in the health and wellness space. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2017 with the launch of Relive Health, a company built on a mission to deliver comprehensive health plans tailored to patients’ individual symptoms and long-term goals.
He is the Co-Founder and CEO of RAW Nutrition, a premium supplement brand created to provide athletes with expertly crafted supplements made with the purest ingredients available in the industry. Under the leadership of Dr. Iacovone, renowned bodybuilding coach Matt Jansen, and 6x Classic Physique Mr. Olympia Champion Chris Bumstead, RAW Nutrition has become one of the fastest-growing brands in the space—named Brand of the Year by both GNC and Vitamin Shoppe, and ranked the #1 fastest-growing CPG brand by Inc. 5000.
Most recently, Dr. Iacovone expanded his footprint in the wellness space by becoming a co-owner of The Quality Group, marking a strategic partnership to fuel RAW Nutrition’s next phase of innovation and global expansion.
In 2023, Dr. Iacovone co-founded BUM Energy alongside Chris Bumstead, where he also serves as CEO. Together, they’re setting a new standard for everyday energy and redefining what an energy drink can be with just two simple ingredients, natural caffeine and Cognizin, a clinically proven ingredient to enhance focus, with zero sugar and no artificial color.
Originally from Providence, RI, Dr. Iacovone moved to Florida at the age of 9. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida before receiving his Doctorate in Chiropractic in Atlanta, GA.
Rachel Hirsch is the founder of Wellness Growth Ventures, a seed fund investing in innovative wellness brands redefining how we live, work, and care for ourselves. Drawing on a career that bridges finance and wellness, she previously held roles at UBS, Tiger Global and Xponential Fitness. Rachel has also owned and operated boutique fitness studios, giving her firsthand insight into building and sustaining consumer brands. At WGV, she partners with founders at the intersection of health, community, and culture, providing capital, strategic guidance, and a deep network to help them scale. Her investments include category-leading brands such as BelliWelli, Tia, and Fishwife. Rachel also hosts The 2% Club Podcast, where she explores the intersection of work, wealth, and wellness, because believes wellness is not just an industry—it’s an asset class for the future.
Donte Murry is the NA Vertical Director of Beauty and Wellness at TikTok, where he leads a team managing strategic partnerships with leading health and wellness brands and service providers across North America. Previously, he managed high-growth ventures with deep ties to wellness, including serving as the first SMB Head of TikTok Shop Ads for North America, leading the in-house paid social agency at Condé Nast, and driving go-to-market and sales for a successful multi-channel health brand. With expertise spanning digital marketing, social commerce, and revenue growth, Donte brings a proven track record of helping health entrepreneurs and brands achieve breakthrough growth.
Nico Varano Jr. is a leading SWTHZ franchisee, board member, and founding partner of TwinOaks Ventures, a private equity fund focused on high-growth, consumer-facing brands alongside Kevin Cooney. As the first SWTHZ franchisee, he and his team have built five of the top-performing studios in the country and is expanding to 10+ locations in Boston and Greater Boston, with their eyes set on New York City and Brooklyn for the next chapter of their expansion.
Varano is also the founder of My Mother’s Cutlets, an innovative Italian-American quick-service restaurant concept.
Previously, he served as Chief of Staff for an omni-channel retailer, a private equity investor at Prospect Hill Growth Partners, and a consumer & retail investment banker at Bank of America.
Dorothy (Dor) Kilroy is ŌURA’s Chief Commercial Officer. Dor leads ŌURA’s B2B organization and drives forward its partnerships strategy, expanding ŌURA’s market presence, brand awareness, scientific credibility, and sales.
Dor joins ŌURA from Airbnb where she served as GM and Head of Community, overseeing the products and programs that drive growth and success for 4M+ Hosts on Airbnb. Before Airbnb, Dor was the VP of Business Development and Revenue at Marqeta, and prior to that, she worked at Visa, as the Director of Product for loyalty solutions.
She is on the board of EatReal, a nonprofit that focuses on getting “real food” for kids in schools.
Co-founder and CEO of Amalgama, Gonzalo Amuchastegui has a background in business and ontological coaching. An Agile Mentor and Business Developer, he's a father of two who enjoys tennis, golf, and sailing, the sport where he met his co-founders.
Darren MacDonald joined Tonal as Chief Executive Officer in September 2024. A lifelong strength training enthusiast, Darren was a Tonal Member even before joining the company.
Darren brings 25 years of professional experience to Tonal, most recently serving as Chief Customer Officer at Petco, where he was responsible for Marketing, Digital Experience, Product, Enterprise Analytics, Membership, and Customer Care. Prior to Petco, Darren was a key leader at Jet.com, which was acquired by Walmart in 2016 for $3.3B, before going on to lead Walmart.com’s Entertainment business, its largest segment. Earlier in his career, Darren built software and hardware at EMN8, an early stage startup creating kiosks for the restaurant and movie theater industries. He also helped lead the Global Business Development Group at Avery Dennison, a Fortune 500 company, and led shopping experiences at IAC as the CEO of the Pronto Network.
Darren holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Business. He is married, has three children, and has been a lifelong athlete. His passion for strength training, which started in high school, and his experience as a Tonal Member were key factors in his decision to join the company.
Before becoming CEO of Fit Body Boot Camp, Bryce Henson launched and scaled five Fit Body locations, becoming a 7-figure gym owner.. With two decades in the fitness industry, he’s led more than $40M in coaching sales and shared the stage with leaders like Jocko Willink and Ed Mylett. Today, he mentors fitness business owners through Fit Body Boot Camp’s mission to Inspire Fitness and Change Lives Every Day.
With over a decade in health & fitness franchise leadership, Bert Albertse is the CEO of JETSET Pilates, a modern reformer brand delivering a 50-minute, results-focused, low-impact program that marries precision Pilates and conditioning. JETSET’s programming is crafted for transformation. Strategic sequencing, seamless transitions, and purposeful variety make movement effective and energizing. JETSET delivers a consistent, technique-focused flow rooted in Pilates principles. JETSET is precise, hands-on, and deeply informed to help clients move with confidence, clarity, and control.
Bert leads franchise growth and network integrity with a franchisee-partnership mindset, anchoring network integrity and an independent–dependent operator model that sets clear non-negotiables with local latitude. He drives disciplined results, a data-driven operating cadence from preview through maturity, and a learning-based development system that keeps quality uniform at scale. Under his leadership, JETSET is expanding across key U.S. markets and internationally while protecting unit economics and visit-driven performance.
Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD, is a neuroscientist, board-certified psychiatrist, health tech entrepreneur and inventor who has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for over 15 years. His research focuses on non-invasive therapies for treatment-resistant illnesses like PTSD and chronic pain. He is the co-founder & Chief Medical Officer at Apollo Neuroscience, the first scientifically validated wearable technology to improve heart rate variability, focus, relaxation, and access to meditative states by delivering gentle vibrations to the body, and the Executive Director of The Board of Medicine. In addition to his clinical psychiatry practice, Dr. Rabin is currently conducting research on the epigenetic regulation of trauma responses and recovery to elucidate the mechanism of psychedelic medicines. He received his MD in medicine and PhD in neuroscience from Albany Medical College and specialized in psychiatry with a distinction in research at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic.
Michael joined LinkedIn in 2011 to start the company’s Wellness program. He is currently the Director of Global Wellness and has scaled the Wellness program to serve the company’s global employees through the 6 Tenets of Wellness, a holistic framework that gives all employees the skills, tools, and support to meaningfully integrate healthy habits and self care into their everyday lives. Prior to joining LinkedIn, Michael founded a boutique wellness consulting company that became the model for LinkedIn’s Wellness Program. Michael’s progress through the Health and Wellness discipline began as a collegiate football coach, and then coincided with various sales and marketing roles at companies that ranged from large corporations to internet startups over a 15-year span.
Michael received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Lebanon Valley College, specializing in Secondary Education. Michael was a member of the Lebanon Valley College football and track teams. He is from Hershey PA and now resides in Stockton, CA.
A 30-year veteran of the fitness equipment industry, Michael Grant joined Broad Fit Financial in 2023 with extensive experience in sales, training, and finance, including roles in Enterprise Business Development with BHG Financial, a decade with Precor as Director of the Consumer Division, and 13 years as Director of Consumer Sales and Marketing for G&G Fitness Equipment, Inc.
As VP of sales, he has been pivotal in strengthening client relationships and enhancing operational efficiencies. He not only holds comprehensive knowledge and experience in our industry but also embodies our values of integrity and transparency. His commitment to excellence and performance has helped propel the organization into a dominating funding source for our industry. His dedication and innovative approach have been instrumental in driving the company's success and ensuring a superior customer experience.
A graduate of Canisius University, Grant resides in Charleston, South Carolina.
Julie Cartwright is the President of Pvolve, a groundbreaking fitness company backed by Jennifer Aniston, that has redefined the industry with its clinically proven approach to functional movement. Pvolve blends patented, resistance-based equipment with functional strength training to sculpt, strengthen, and energize the body, all through a women-first lens. Available on-demand and in a growing studio footprint, the method is designed to help people live better, longer.
As a founding executive, Julie has been pivotal in transforming Pvolve from its inception into a global, female-led fitness authority. She drives the company’s growth strategy and key investments while ensuring financial success. Named one of Chief’s Top 50 Exceptional Executives, Julie’s leadership and passion for innovation continue to propel Pvolve’s disruptive influence in fitness.
Jonathan Hill, Co-Founder of Morrow Hill, is a powerhouse in franchise real estate, driving sales and developing cutting-edge processes that have been mimicked and duplicated across the industry.
With over 20 years of expertise, Hill has revolutionized the way franchises scale by creating proprietary systems that streamline expansion and maximize profitability. His number one priority is driving revenue for Morrow Hill while continuously innovating processes that give clients a competitive edge.
Hill leads the Franchise Real Estate Division and collaborates with data engineers to develop exclusive technology tailored to businesses ranging from emerging brands to private equity-backed enterprises. His deep understanding of retail and office space allows him to guide companies toward strategic growth and market dominance.
A passionate advocate for franchising, Hill serves on the board of the Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University, mentors students at the Rinker Business School, and in 2024, launched a scholarship for students in the franchising program. He is also a Supplier Board member of the International Franchise Association, actively working with Congress to protect and promote the franchise model. Hill is also a founding contributor & member to the IFA Franchise Ascension Initiative.
Hill’s impact on commercial real estate has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal and top business publications nationwide.
When he’s not transforming the franchise world, Hill enjoys spending time with his four children, coaching youth hockey, and staying active in USA Hockey.
Nate Chang brings nearly 20 years of franchise-marketing expertise to his role as CMO at Sequel Brands, leading brand strategy and creative direction for wellness franchises like Pilates Addiction, iFlex Stretch Studios, beem Light Sauna, and BODY20. Previously, he rebranded YogaSix, guiding it from 12 to over 200 locations in under five years and helped grow brands like UFC GYM, Del Taco, and Rita’s Italian Ice. Known for building culturally resonant brands, Chang balances strategic vision with localized execution, empowering franchisees with scalable tools and storytelling to thrive in their communities.
Andrew Lacy is the CEO and founder of Prenuvo, the company pioneering proactive whole-body imaging for the early detection of cancer and other diseases. Under Lacy’s leadership, the company has expanded across North America, establishing Prenuvo as a recognized and trusted proactive healthcare service to both patients and referring clinicians. Lacy is a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience taking transformative products from conception to scale. His notable achievements include playing an influential role in the development of the iPhone apps ecosystem as co-founder of Tapulous, later acquired by the Walt Disney Company. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Lacy has held key leadership, consulting, strategic, financial and product roles across international companies, including McKinsey and The Walt Disney Company. In addition to his work at Prenuvo, Lacy actively serves as an advisor and investor across a diverse portfolio of startups. Lacy received an MBA from Stanford University and a JD from the University of Melbourne. He is currently based in Los Angeles.
Rose Minar has almost 20 years’ experience in hospitality marketing and brand strategy with leading global companies like Carlson Inc., Radisson Hospitality Inc. and Conrad Hotels and has successfully led and inspired diverse brand, marketing and commercial teams across Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia Pacific and the US.
Her education and upbringings in Europe extensive international travel and a permanent base in the USA for more than ten years, have given her the truly global mindset and experience needed for driving global, regional and local brand and customer experience strategies and marketing initiatives.
Rose is now Brand & Marketing Advisor for Lift Brands, where she has successfully led the repositioning of Snap Fitness globally, redefining the brand value proposition, go-to-market strategy, and member experience; leading the industry with a more inclusive and holistic approach to fitness and driving significant year-over-year growth.
Jonathan is a co-founder and the CEO of FitBiomics, a biotechnology company developing next-generation microbes to improve human health and longevity. He received his PhD in Biomedicine from the NYU School of Medicine, with an emphasis on molecular oncology and immunology. He was then a postdoctoral research fellow at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, at Harvard, working on transformative sequencing technologies and programmable cellular engineering. His current work at FitBiomics involves translating microbiome data from the most fit people in the world into next-gen probiotics, with applications in metabolic health, cellular energy, as well as gut-brain and gut-muscle functionality. A former Division I college athlete, (St. John’s University, basketball) and high school basketball coach, one of Jonathan’s long- term goals is to use athletics as a medium to discover next-gen health modalities and make them accessible to broader populations.
Christine Howe is the Owner & CEO of Fit Pro Finders, LLC, a fitness and wellness recruitment firm. With over 12 years of experience in staffing across the HALO (Health, Active Lifestyle, Outdoors) sector, she connects gyms, studios, and wellness businesses with high-caliber talent, from front desk and sales to executive leadership roles.
Energetic and results-driven, Christine has built a reputation for understanding the unique needs of the fitness world and delivering tailored recruitment solutions that scale businesses fast and sustainably.
